The Top Ten: Niall Quinn Goals For The Lads

The player, the manager, the Chairman, the dream; Niall Quinn represented Sunderland in so many ways.

There was a saddened expectation when the news broke on Monday that Quinn would be leaving the club with immediate effect. Last year he had stepped down as Chairman to take up a role aiming to increase the club's international profile which - judging by the emerging links with Africa - looks set to pay dividends.

Despite insisting that he would leave once he had restored Sunderland as an established Premier League club, there was a desire that Quinny would be here forever. Alas, he has given us hope - a most precious commodity in football - and so the least that we could do was grant him more time to be with his family.

From a Roker Report perspective, what better way to use Top Ten than to relive the joy he gave us on the field? Without further to do, this week's Top Ten looks back on Niall Quinn's playing days at Sunderland.

10. vs Manchester City

More mentally brilliant than technical to kick things off, Quinn anticipates the stray pass to christen the Stadium of Light with goals.

9. vs Southampton

This type of chest-down-and-finish effort features throughout, which if unfamiliar with Niall Quinn the player, you may never associate with an Irish target man. So I'll let this one whet the appetite for Quinny's sublime technique.

8. vs Chelsea

A game more likely to be remembered for Kevin Phillips' long-range effort, Quinny set us on the way to a 4-1 payback with this cultured finish.

7. vs Chelsea (again)

Same game, same video: Quinn put the icing on the cake with a low left-footed volley. Relive those exciting times here.

6. vs Manchester United

Another moment from that charge up the Premier League table - Sunderland's high tempo had caught United cold and Quinny's guided finish put the lads 2-0 up.

5. vs Tottenham Hotspur

Long will be remembered as the day Niall wiped the floor with Sol Campbell, the second of his two goals was something to behold. Standing in between two markers, the big man controlled a cross before firing home on the volley.

4. vs Crystal Palace

Another volley of undoubted excellence, this time Sunderland's no. 9 has his back to goal when receiving Michael Gray's searching ball. I don't need to tell you the outcome as it's in a best goals compilation, but see for yourself just why it has made the cut.

3. vs Luton Town

The goal that wrapped up a Worthington Cup quarter-final win, and women have the audacity to say men can't wrap properly. Quinny showed them!

2. vs Newcastle United

A goals compilation would be nothing without one against the enemy, and Quinn went some way to cementing his place in Sunderland folklore with a looping header in torrid conditions, at a torrid stadium.

1. vs Port Vale

Having seen Eric Cantona do similar against us, the big man fancied a go himself, and capped a dominant first 20 minutes with a delightful finish that put the Lads 3-0 up. Sit back, and watch Quinn's greatest goal in red and white.

But which is your favourite? Have a vote in our poll and let us know!