- Sunderland legend Charlie Hurley dies aged 87
- Hurley earned 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland during his brilliant career.
Sunderland icon Charlie Hurley has died aged 87, the club have announced.
The Championship club confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday morning as they paid tribute to their former player.
The statement read: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charlie Hurley, one of the greatest and most loved players in Sunderland AFC’s history.”
Hurley, who was born in Cork, Ireland, in October 1936 before moving to England when he was just seven months old, spent 12 years at Sunderland between 1957 and 1969.
He quickly became a popular figure in the North East team and was voted “Player of the Century” in a fan poll to mark the club’s centenary in 1979.
Sunderland legend Charlie Hurley (pictured) has died aged 87.
Hurley, who spent most of his career as a centre-back, was branded ‘The King’ thanks in part to his burly appearance, and earned 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
The defender began his playing days at Millwall and they also paid tribute to Hurley following his death.
“Millwall Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of former player Charlie Hurley,” they wrote.
Hurley left Millwall after four years at the club to join Sunderland, and would go on to make 402 appearances for the Black Cats.
The last two years of his career were spent at Bolton Wanderers, who hailed him as a “football giant” on Thursday.
“We share our thoughts with everyone at Sunderland and Charlie Hurley’s family,” the club posted on X.
“A football giant who ended a magnificent playing career with Wanderers.”
After hanging up his boots, Hurley took over as manager of Reading in 1972.
During his five years in charge, Hurley led the club to promotion from the fourth division.
He resigned in February 1977 and made the decision to leave at half-time in a game. That turned out to be his last managerial role, as he opted to leave the bench behind.
Reading issued a statement on Thursday, saying they were “deeply saddened” by the passing of their former coach.