Record appearance holders Jim Montgomery and Len Ashurst are the latest legends to be added to the inductees at what will be the first ever Sunderland AFC Hall of Fame dinner at the Stadium of Light on Friday 14 June.
Monty’s magnificent total of 627 appearances for the club puts ‘The Mighty Jim’ way out in front as the person who has played the most games in the history of the club. Throughout much of Monty’s first decade he had left-back Len Ashurst just in front of him. ‘Lennie the lion’s’ 458 appearances make Ashurst the outfield player to have played the most for the club.
A defensive stalwart who played from 1958 to 1970, Ashurst was ever present in the famed 1963-64 promotion season and a model of consistency. Later, he returned to manage Sunderland during an extensive managerial career that saw him join the select group of managers to have taken charge of 1,000 games.
Montgomery was also ever present in the 1964 promotion side as well as being the goalkeeper when the Second Division trophy was won for the first time in 1975-76. In between he not only won the FA Cup in 1973 but his double save from Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer has gone down in history as the greatest save ever made in this country.
Montgomery and Ashurst will be in attendance at the dinner joining Niall Quinn, Bobby Kerr and Charlie Hurley. Also being inducted into the Hall of Fame will be club founder James Allan and the key man from the league and cup winning team of the thirties, Raich Carter. Allan’s Great Grandson Brendan O’Donnell and Carter’s son, also called Raich Carter, will receive the awards on behalf of their forbears.
Four more of the greatest figures from Sunderland’s history are still to be announced as the first ‘team’ of 11 inductees will gather for what is set to be an extremely special evening.
To take your place alongside the Red & White royalty at this most prestigious first Hall of Fame dinner contact the commercial team on 0371 911 1555 or email commercial@safc.com. Tickets cost £75 +VAT
