Roker Report is saddened to learn of the passing of former Sunderland midfielder Eric Roy following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
News of Roy’s death will be met with sadness by many Sunderland supporters who remember him as part of one of the club’s most successful sides of the modern era, a team that not only secured its place in the Premier League but did so with a swagger and confidence that remains fondly remembered on Wearside.
Signed by Peter Reid in the summer of 1999 from Olympique Marseille
for a fee of £275,000, Roy arrived at the Stadium of Light ahead of Sunderland’s first season back in the top flight following promotion from the First Division. In a somewhat unusual introduction to English football, the Frenchman actually appeared for the club during Kevin Ball’s testimonial against Sampdoria before putting pen to paper, giving supporters an early glimpse of the tenacious midfielder who would soon become a familiar face in red and white.
The 1999-2000 campaign would go down as one of the finest seasons Sunderland fans have witnessed in recent decades. Defying expectations, Reid’s side stormed to a remarkable seventh-place finish in the Premier League, playing exciting, attacking football and earning admiration throughout the country. Roy was an important member of a fiercely competitive midfield unit that also featured the likes of Alex Rae, Stefan Schwarz and Gavin McCann, providing steel, discipline and work ethic whenever called upon.
Although he was never the most glamorous player in the squad, Roy embodied many of the qualities Sunderland supporters have always appreciated. Tough in the tackle, committed in the challenge and willing to do the dirty work for the benefit of the team, he quickly earned a reputation as a wholehearted competitor who never shirked responsibility.
Across 34 appearances for the Black Cats, Roy scored once, finding the net in a convincing 5-0 cup victory over Walsall. However, statistics only tell part of the story. Many supporters will remember his contribution during Sunderland’s famous 4-1 victory over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, when he produced an energetic and disciplined display alongside Paul Thirlwell in midfield as Reid’s side dismantled one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
Roy remained at Sunderland until January 2001 before departing on a free transfer. While his stay on Wearside was relatively brief, his contribution should not be overlooked. He played his part in a Sunderland side that regularly competed with and often outperformed some of the biggest teams in the country, helping establish the club as a respected Premier League outfit during a memorable period in its history.
For many supporters, Eric Roy will be remembered as a committed professional and a combative midfielder who gave everything whenever he pulled on the red and white shirt. He may not have been the headline-maker in a team packed with popular figures, but his efforts helped provide the foundations for a side that remains cherished by Sunderland fans to this day.
Everyone at Roker Report sends their condolences to Eric’s family, friends and former teammates at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Eric Roy.
