Paphos People

For those of you know North East football Alan was a local kid in the mid 60's with sublime skill and who could have been one of the greats had he applied himself properly. Not a Paul Gascoigne, but good nonetheless.

He played for the Toon and was sold for £60k (a massive sum in those days) by the Toon to fund other transfers (nothing new there then!).

However, he is suffering from Cancer and has had both legs removed - prognosis not good according to reports.

I am sure true football supporters will wish him well.

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Roger

"Be who you are, not what others want you to be"

Just passed away it seems.

Before my time but I've heard he was a real talent. RIP.

"Before your time" - you must have had a hard paper round!!!!

He was typical of Toon local lads not being given too many opportunities. However, on the ball he was fantastic and even played a few times for the Under 21's (mind so has Shola so perhaps not too much to shout about). He was sold by Joe Harvey to buy three players to keep us in the then First Division (Premier League), one was called Elliott can't remeber the other two. He went to Blackpool for £60K and they went down instead of us!!!!

He was due to be in the original 1966 World Cup Squad as a teenager and when he was not chosen I boycotted the World Cup Final which England won in protest - sad eh???

PS in the same season when we were second bottom and Blackpool were bottom we went to Bloomfield Road and we lost 0-6!!!! I was there!!

Have not heard he has died though - will check.

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Roger

"Be who you are, not what others want you to be"

He was cremated today in Blackpool and there is a memorial service next week in Percy Main. Good article about him in the Evening Chronicle tonight. The Toon were present and gave a eulogy which was quite moving - obviously not written by Mike Ashley or the "Poisoined Dwarf".

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Roger

"Be who you are, not what others want you to be"

Alan Suddick...He could have been a Legend !
But sadly he wasn't.
Gary

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So close yet so far away