He captained Newcastle United and Middlesbrough but he’s still remembered as a Sunderland legend

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The North East is a fierce footballing community, and it’s not often that folk get to pass freely through the various territories, but one man did.

When you look at the most revered Sunderland legends through the ages — Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn, or older heroes like Len Ashurst — it’s easy to see why they were so beloved by Black Cats fans.

Loyalty is key to any player achieving legendary status at a club. It can even triumph over talent in some cases, but does it ever happen the other way around?

Well, one player was so endearing and committed during his time in the Sunderland squad, that fans didn’t care that he would later go on to serve both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough, too.

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Stan Anderson played for all three North East rivals, but was loved by Sunderland fans

Born and raised in the North East of England (Horden, to be exact), it made sense that Stan Anderson would eventually forge a footballing career for himself on Wearside.

The midfielder joined Sunderland as a youngster and went on to make over 400 appearances for the Black Cats over an 12-year period. Anderson was eventually handed the captain’s armband for his club, too, and represented England towards the end of his time with the Mackems.

However, while Anderson was largely expected to hang up his boots at Sunderland and remain a one-club man, he made the controversial decision to move across to Tyneside to join Newcastle United for £35,000 in November 1963.

Anderson was made the captain there, too, and spent two years with the Magpies, turning out 81 times in the iconic black and white kit.

Then, just to make his career even more extraordinary, Anderson switched allegiances again, signing for Middlesbrough in 1965 and spending a year on Teeside. He was made skipper there, too, and even went on to become Middlesbrough manager upon his retirement from playing, a role he kept until 1973.

Speaking to the Roker Report before his death in 2018, Anderson explained his decision to go to Middlesbrough, citing the influence of his childhood hero, Raich Carter, as a deciding factor.

“I joined Middleborough late on in my career and this was to work for the great Raich Carter, the team were struggling but I went there thinking I would learn from one of the greatest players and everyone was in awe of the man,” Anderson said. “It never went to plan though as he rarely looked over his newspaper and never took training.”

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Stan Anderson’s Sunderland career by numbers

Somehow, despite this extraordinary and unique career path, Stan Anderson still remains a firm favourite among Sunderland fans, thanks to his devotion to the Black Cats over the years.

With 402 appearances in red and white, Anderson fourth in the list of Sunderland’s all-time appearances. Anyone who can reach such a milestone, especially in the days before intensive league and cup schedules, deserves a huge amount of respect.

Anderson was part of the Sunderland side that was relegated from Division One in 1958, and stayed with the club as they suffered a few disappointing seasons in the second division. Funnily enough, the Black Cats were promoted back to the top flight in 1964, the season Anderson left.