Club historian Rob Mason pays tribute...
Former winger John Dillon has passed away at the age of 76.
Hailing from Coatbridge; birthplace of that other great Scots winger Billy Hughes, Dillon was a diminutive player but one with a gigantic heart.
He played 23 times for Sunderland, beginning with a debut against Middlesbrough in September 1960 when he was just 17. Six months later he played in his most famous game, an FA Cup quarter-final with Spurs that went to a replay after he had played in cup wins at Liverpool and Norwich.
All but one of his appearances came in that 1960-61 season, including playing in Sunderland’s first ever League Cup tie.
John went on to play 21 league games for Brighton and five for Crewe before returning to Scotland to play for Albion Rovers, Queen of the South, Stranraer and Hamilton. He once scored four times in a game for Albion where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame.
9 November 1942 – 11 August 2019
Sunderland: 1 July 1958 – 29 June 1962
SAFC career 23 appearances / One goal
PIC CAPTION : John Dillon (Right) with fellow former players Derek Weddle and Jack Maltby.