SOCIAL MEDIA – WHAT YOU SAID

Howard Wilkinson was appointed Sunderland manager 15 years ago, replacing Peter Reid. We asked what your memories of him were (we didn’t expect any gushing praise...). Barry Marshall:

I was told of the appointment by a friend by txt when I was away on a break in Dublin. Couldn’t believe it then, still can’t believe it now! Shaun Sayers:

My initial view was that a manager that could win the league with Chris Whyte and Chris Fairclough at the back, and Brian Deane and Lee Chapman up front must have something about him. Obviously I did change that view over time. Gary Pearson:

My favourite remark attributed to him was “as one door shuts, another one closes”. The man was a complete buffoon. Steven Capper:

Being away at bolton and the local coppers asking me why there were loads of safc fans in army hats chanting Sargent Wilkos red n white army! Dave Mitcheson:

Is he being lined up to replace Grayson? Nothing would surprise me anymore .... Ian Smith:

HW wasn’t even amongst the top 100 betting, nor mentioned AT ALL in the run up to his appointment - total shock. Phil Durham: Talking about Man U using nettle metaphors and Cotterill sounding like a shepherd with Tourette’s, whistling all the time!! Utter clowns. Jim Milley:

Not worth putting the memories into print. Waste of space. Andrew Davis:

He helped cure my insomnia! He was the dullest, least inspirational person that could have ever been chosen as a manager .... ever!! Grey and dreary! Terry Debbage: I was at work when the appointment was announced, the first person I saw said “see you have Howard the duck” Billy Eyre:

Him saying “there are 5 teams in this relegation battle but Sunderland aren’t one of them” We were rock bottom with no chance of survival. Craig Turns: Sending me out on loan to Harrogate Town! Jason Halliwell:

Cotterill writing the half time drinks orders into his jotter every match