Club historian Rob Mason pays tribute to Winston Young…
It was with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of former player Winston Young.
Winston, who was born on 24 August 1940 in Newcastle, died suddenly on Sunday 8 April.
He was a full-back at Sunderland in the late fifties and early sixties.
Signed as a professional, Winston played for the reserve team but in the age before substitutes he was unfortunate to never get a competitive first team debut.
After leaving football, he went on to have a highly successful career in the police force.
Winston never gave up his allegiance to Sunderland and for many years was not only the secretary of the Former Players’ Association, but an exceptionally efficient one.
A true gentleman, Winston was held in the very highest esteem by everyone he came into contact with.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Winston and many an event of the SFPA passed off successfully without most people realizing just how much time Winston had invested in ensuring that every last detail was taken care of.
A most modest and unassuming person, instead of taking the plaudits for the smooth running of golf days, quizzes or dinners he’d put together, Winston would invariably be at pains to thank anyone who had contributed, even though their efforts often paled into insignificance compared to what he had done himself.
Winston never forgot it was a team game and he was the sort of person who always put the team first.
There was only one team he ever loved more than Sunderland and that was his family.
Winston was devoted to his loving wife Brenda, their children and their grandchildren, who he truly doted on.
He will be enormously missed by all of them and by every member of the SFPA.
Even if you didn’t know Winston personally, have no doubt that Sunderland have lost one of their most loyal former players and supporters.
PIC: Winston Young, far right.