Stan Anderson

Who is Stan Anderson?

Stanley Anderson is a former English football player and manager. He is the only player to captain all three of the north east's big clubs in Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough. He was an England schoolboy before joining his local club, Sunderland and playing before huge crowds at Roker Park. He was 19 when he made his first team debut in a 1-1 draw at home to Portsmouth on October 4 1952. For the next eleven years he was a regular in a Sunderland side that contained at various times Len Shackleton, Trevor Ford, Don Revie, Charlie Hurley and Brian Clough, with whom Stan had a close friendship up until the former Forest manager's death. In 1955 and 1956 Sunderland twice made it through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, but lost both games and in 1958 the club were relegated for the first time ever. Stan was captain of a young side in the second Division and it was his foresight that led to the sending of centre half Charlie Hurley up field for corners and free-kicks, a revolutionary move that helped turn Hurley into a hero amongst the Sunderland faithful. In 1961 Sunderland came closer than any side in denying Spurs the famous League and FA Cup double but after drawing 1-1 at Roker Park, Sunderland were heavily beaten 5-0 in the replay.