Derek Ferguson makes ‘easy’ call on favourite teammate from his time at Sunderland
Derek Ferguson has named Gary Bennett as his favourite teammate from his time at Sunderland.
Ferguson represented the Black Cats between 1993 and 1995, and played alongside club legend Bennett who remains involved at the Stadium of Light today.
When the Scotsman was asked about his most fondly remembered teammate from Roker Park, he exclusively told Mackem News: “Easy, Gary Bennett. Ahh brilliant guy, so he was.
“When I first went in there in my first training session, Kevin Ball, we were just doing a wee warm up and Kevin Ball is a crazy man, so he is, and I was like, ‘Who’s this?’.
“But big Benno was great, he sat me down, and he actually kind of looked after us a wee bit when I went in there, in terms of telling us a wee bit about the club and what to expect.
“Gary Bennett was a great guy. So were quite a few of them. I loved Kevin Ball as well, I got on great with Bally.
“I didn’t know anything about Kevin Ball, but I tell you what, there’s a guy that, my God, did he want to win a game?
“I loved that about him. I loved his passion. And I tell you what, he didn’t shirk a tackle.
“But of them all it was big Benno, great big guy.”
Sunderland aim to create further legends
Sunderland hold their legendary figures in high esteem, as do the supporters on Wearside as the likes of Bennett, Ball and Niall Quinn are regularly present at events.
The club are now into a new era of bringing through exciting young players in the hope of creating future legends, with local lads such as Dan Neil and Chris Rigg already worshipped on Wearside.
History will look a little less fondly on the period between 2017 and 2021 when the club were on a dismal decline, but will remember the players a lot better who began and maintained the upward trajectory that sees Sunderland unrecognisable from those years.
Regis Le Bris has already gained a wealth of love from the supporters following a great start, as the club hold their long-term ambition to re-establish themselves back in the Premier League.
The past is fully acknowledged at the Stadium of Light; the future eagerly anticipated.
In other Sunderland news, Aaron Connolly has a point to prove after signing for the club.
For more Sunderland news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.