As Sunderland fans have learnt over the years, relegation prompted departures can come with mixed feelings. On one hand, supporters are pleased when they see the less willing members of the squad jettisoned, whilst on the other there is great regret when the better players, the ones that stood out despite the struggles and upon whom immediate promotion hopes would otherwise rest, are invariably sold to clubs still higher up the chain.
Chris Turner certainly fell into the second category following demotion at the end of 1984-85, and it had been clear that during the final weeks of the campaign that Sunderland’s number one was still deserving of his own place amongst the elite. Turner had also been instrumental in the famous run to the Milk Cup final during the season, and whilst his many man of the match performances had furthered his reputation there was another factor in play – the rules at the time meant he was able to seek a move whether Sunderland fancied holding onto him or not.
There was little surprise therefore when on this day it was confirmed that he had joined FA Cup holders Manchester United on a three-year deal. The Old Trafford outfit splashed out £275,000 for the stopper, equalling the record fee received by Sunderland by matching the amount their near neighbours Manchester City had spent on Dennis Tueart over a decade earlier. Whilst the money was certainly welcome now that smaller crowds were expected through the doors in the coming months, the transfer did mean that when a new manager was appointed one of the first items on their ‘to do’ list would be to find a suitable replacement.
Also on the move - promotions man Corny O’Donnell
At the time Lawrie McMenemy was mulling over a very public job offer from the club’s hierarchy and having just returned from a family holiday in America was expected to make a final decision over the next few days. Birmingham City’s Ron Saunders was also said to be in the frame whilst Emlyn Hughes was believed to have applied also, but in the meantime Frank Burrows was holding the fort and so gave the Echo Sport’s main Sunderland reporter Geoff Storey his reaction to the Turner sale;
We have lost a good player but that’s what Freedom of Contract has done for the game” he lamented.
I would like to thank Chris for what he has done for us but he has seen the opportunity to stay in the first division with a well-known club.
It is always sad to see a good player leave but there is nothing we can do about it. It is up to us to make sure we get a good player to replace him.
As most readers will know, McMenemy did end up taking the job later in the month and his inability to settle on a first-choice stopper during his first season in charge would in time become a major headache. Loanee Seamus McDonagh had featured during the majority of the pre-season programme yet Sunderland’s upcoming friendly schedule had been another concern mentioned in the Echo on the 1st of July, as a two game trip to France, one of which would have been against Brest as part of the terms agreed when Ian Wallace had joined the Lads from there in January, was being scrapped due to a ban on English clubs playing overseas.
What with the various goings on at Roker and both The Ashes and Wimbledon in full swing the back page was jam packed; there was room also for some international athletics and golf coverage, whilst another football titbit was squeezed in as Turner was not the only former Sunderland employee now pitching up elsewhere, with ex Promotions Manager Corny O’Donnell starting a role as Middlesbrough’s new Pools Coordinator.
To read about Chris Turner’s arrival on Wearside six years earlier see one of our previous pieces;
On This Day (2 July 1979): Sunderland get their Turner prize - Roker Report
The popular goalkeeper also features in this week’s episode of ‘On This Week’ via the Ha’way The Podcast feed: https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2025/6/30/24457099/haway-the-podcast-on-this-week-30th-june-6th-july-rob-mason-joins-for-more-sunderland-history-fun