Sunderland icon Charlie Hurley dies aged 87, as the Black Cats pay tribute to the ‘beloved’ former Republic of Ireland centre back
- Sunderland legend Charlie Hurley has died aged 87
- Hurley won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland during his brilliant career
Sunderland icon Charlie Hurley has died at the age of 87, the club has announced.
The Championship club confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday morning as they paid tribute to their former player.
The statement read: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Charlie Hurley, one of the greatest and most loved players in Sunderland AFC history.’
Born in Cork, Ireland in October 1936 before moving to England at the age of seven months, Hurley spent twelve years in Sunderland between 1957 and 1969.
He quickly became a popular figure at the North-East club and was voted ‘Player of the Century’ in a fan poll to mark the club’s centenary in 1979.
Sunderland legend Charlie Hurley (pictured) has died aged 87
Hurley was voted Sunderland’s ‘Player of the Century’ in a fan poll to mark the club’s centenary in 1979
Hurley, who spent most of his career as a centre-half, was branded as ‘The King’ thanks in part to his powerful performances, and he earned 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
The defender started his playing days at Millwall, and after his death they also paid tribute to Hurley.
“Millwall Football Club is saddened by the passing of former player Charlie Hurley,” they wrote.
Hurley left Millwall after four years at the club to join Sunderland, and would go on to make 402 appearances for the Black Cats.
He spent the last two years of his career at Bolton Wanderers, who praised the ‘football giant’ on Thursday.
“We share our thoughts with everyone at Sunderland and the family of Charlie Hurley,” the club wrote on X.
‘A football giant who ended a brilliant playing career at Wanderers.’
After hanging up his boots, Hurley moved into Reading management in 1972.
During his five years at the helm, Hurley led the club to promotion from the Fourth Division.
He resigned in February 1977, making the decision to walk out at half-time during a match. That turned out to be his last leadership role as he chose to leave the dugout behind.
Reading released a statement on Thursday expressing they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the death of their former manager.