Leighton James: A Roker favourite

20/04/2024 00:31

Roker Report pays tribute to former Sunderland player Leighton James, who passed away this week aged 71.

It is genuinely sad news that we hear of the passing of former Sunderland winger Leighton James at the age of 71 years old. Among the eight clubs that he played for, he had an 18 month spell on Wearside back in the 1980's and was a popular character with the fans.

The then 29 year old Leighton was brought by manager Alan Durban to add - along with Frank Worthington - some experience to a young Sunderland team struggling badly near the foot of the First Division.

He made his debut for Sunderland on 15 January 1983 in a 2-0 win versus Aston Villa, and over the following months helped his new team gradually pull clear of relegation. He had been a regular goal scorer throughout his career, and on May 2nd that season he scored his first two goals for Sunderland at Roker Park and they were both absolute beauties.

Leighton was a left winger, and although he may not have had the pace he once had by the time he came to Wearside it did not matter. He had superb close dribbling skills which meant he usually had the beating of his man. His crossing was super accurate much to the benefit of our strikers, and he could deliver with either foot so that the opposing fullback never knew which side he was going to go past them. Also his crossing meant he was designated dead ball man, and in the days before assists were recorded he was one of the main creative outlets for Durban's side.

In 1983-84 he was a consistent performer for the lads and had probably his best game in a Sunderland shirt, again against Watford in a 3-0 win in November 1983 where he was involved in all three goals. Putting in one of the best displays from a winger in a game seen at Roker in that era, opposition right back Pat Rice was relieved to see him substituted to a standing ovation from the Roker Park crowd in the 82nd minute.

He became a firm favourite with the Sunderland fans in that second season, and with some relegation concerns towards the end of the season, he again scored a couple of vital goals in a home win over Birmingham in April 1984. With Len Ashurst now Sunderland manager, who wanted to bring pace into the Sunderland attack, he was given a free transfer that summer when he was still good enough to be a force in the First Division.

Off the field, Leighton loved his cricket and while he was at Sunderland he played for (I think) Whitburn alongside one of my school friends. After he had been released, we were stood outside the Blue Bell when Leighton walked past. ''All right Leighton'' we shouted, ''All right lad, 53 not out hey!'' he shouted back with a cheery grin and smile. But that was Leighton James, no airs and graces, happy to mix in the community alongside the fans.

A couple of years later he came back with Newport County in a F.A. Cup tie and before the game when talking to the local press said that ' Sunderland was a proper football town'. He was someone who had been outspoken throughout his career, but he enjoyed his time on Wearside and the fans that saw him play will always be fond of him.