Fan Letters: Memories of Hurley & Shaun Elliott; song suggestions; and time to ‘unleash’ Dajaku?

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Dear Roker Report,

Time we took the leash of Dajaku I think. He’s got good pedigree as a youngster, playing for Bayern Munich and the Germany U20s side, and I think he’s impressed in the appearances he’s made so far, scoring two cracking goals.

I know LJ trusts McGeady more, but at some point we have to look forwards and not backwards, and perhaps it’s the elder of the two who is more suited to being an impact player later in games. Just a thought, not saying I’m right.

John in Sherburn Village

Ed’s Note [Gav]: I don’t want to write McGeady off, but he’s not getting any younger, and has had to play a large chunk of his football in recent years whilst carrying injuries, which won’t have helped him. I’m not convinced he was fit at the weekend.

You are right though, we do have to look forwards and not backwards. Clearly the injection of youth in our side this season has improved us, and we need to strike the right balance throughout the team.

Personally, I think Dajaku and Broadhead - when fit of course - are our best wide options.

Photo by Will Matthews/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

Dad - a Newcastle supporter - made the mistake of taking me once to see Sunderland in 1958, the season we were first relegated.

None of our centre-halves have come close to emulating Charlie Hurley’s achievements. Every one of our corners the chant of “Charlie, Charlie” would ring out meaning he was outstanding at both ends of the field. His 12 years and over 400 appearances made it a privilege to have been there throughout his career.

Shaun Elliott was skipper during Len Ashurst’s management 1984/85 season when my son Paul was our mascot for the away game at Stoke City.

David Haswell

Ed’s Note [Gav]: I’m seriously jealous of anyone who got to watch King Charlie in action - everything I’ve ever heard or read about the man just makes me think that he was magical.

The fact so many people - including the dad of our own Michael Dunne, who comes across from Ireland for each game, and ex-Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill - follow Sunderland because they were so enamoured by Hurley just says how special he was.

Shaun Elliott too, who my dad loves and still regards as one of the greatest.

I love hearing stories about the players from back in the day!

Photo by PA Images via Getty Images

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Dear Roker Report,

I’m also tired and bored of some of the Wyke and Johnson chants...

I’ve been thinking about the Hoff chant that someone else came up with: “Who’s the best keeper in League One? It’s you Ron, Ron, Ron, It’s you Ron, Ron...”

How about adding: “ Who always win the 1 on 1’s? It’s you Ron, Ron, it’s you Ron, Ron... He’s the last line of our defence, Reliable as a Mercedes Benz As good as Monty and Sørensen, It’s you Ron, Ron, Ron, it’s you Ron, Ron!”

This might have been a pretty productive dog walk - I had to stop halfway to send the Hoff song. How about this for our No 14?

To the tune of ‘Copacabana’: “His name is Rosscoe, The Loch Ness Drogba, He strikes the ball sweeter than Pogba... His name is Rosscoe, He is our striker, He’s scoring more goals here than Wyke, yeah, If it’s dry or it’s wet, When the ball hits the net, You know it’s Rosscoe

(We fell in love with, the Loch Ness Drogba, the Loch Ness Drogba)

Mike Stubbs

Ed’s Note [Gav]: That was me who came up with the chant, Mike! I like the additions, but think anything overly wordy confuses the shit out of our fans, unfortunately.

Keep the suggestions coming! We need more new chants.

Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images