Overview
- Sunderland announced Rowell died on Saturday after a long battle with leukaemia, 50 years to the day after his debut, with his sons Chris and Peter by his side.
- The Black Cats said they will honor him at the derby against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light, and their rivals posted condolences to his family and the wider community.
- Rowell scored 103 goals in 297 appearances for Sunderland and is one of only three post‑war players to reach 100 goals for the club.
- He is best remembered for a 1979 hat‑trick in a 4-1 victory at St James’ Park, a defining moment in Wear–Tyne derby history.
- After leaving Sunderland in 1984 he played for Norwich, Middlesbrough, Brighton, Carlisle and Burnley, later worked in finance and radio, and entered the SAFC Hall of Fame in 2020.