Our first look of him in a Sunderland jersey came on August 11th, in a 2-1 loss to Oldham Athletic at Roker Park in the Anglo-Scottish Cup.

He made his league debut on September 29, 1979, in a 1-1 tie at Roker Park against Preston North End. This resulted in a four-game run for the team, including a League Cup replay against Manchester City at Roker Park in front of 33,559 supporters. Chris Turner contributed significantly to the one-nil triumph.

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Barry Siddall, no mean goalkeeper himself, had been the first-choice keeper coming into the season, and when he returned on October 20th, we could have been forgiven for believing that, barring injury, Turner may be done for the season.

Siddall’s stint lasted three games, and aside from two games in January 1980, Chris Turner wore the number one shirt for the remainder of this historic season. Sunderland improved during the season and were promoted in second place, one point ahead of Chelsea and Birmingham.

Promotion in his debut season must have felt good for the young Sheffield youngster. There was little doubt he was a burgeoning talent by the end of this campaign.

Turner played thirty-one crucial league games in 1980/81 as Knighton’s team adjusted to life in the top division. On April 11th, following a terrible performance and a two-nil loss to Stoke City, Tom Cowie fired Ken Knighton, and Mick Docherty took over as caretaker.

Alan Durban was appointed manager in season 81/82, and he swiftly installed Siddall in goal, but the rivalry remained fierce, and Turner played the final sixteen games of the season in a row, saving triumphs and draws as Sunderland battled to avoid relegation. Sunderland finished 19th, two points ahead of Leeds United, who were relegated alongside Wolves and Middlesbrough.

Barry Siddall went on loan to Darlington, then to the Vancouver Whitecaps, before joining Port Vale in 1982.

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Turner played 41 league and cup games in 1982/83, including six straight clean sheets against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

Our top-tier status was maintained, and there were hints that a squad was beginning to form. Chris Turner played 48 league and cup games during the 1983/84 season.

He was critical to our campaign, delivering some outstanding displays and saves, with his instinctive shot-stopping being a frequent feature. One game in particular stands out in my memory: a one-nil win at Anfield over the eventual championship winners that season.

Ian Atkins and Shaun Elliott were brilliant in that game, along with the unstoppable Chris Turner,who made an incredible save on Alan Kennedy a minute or two before Gary Rowell buried the penalty that won us the game. We finished thirteenth that season, but we were on the verge of losing in the final game. By the end of February, Chairman Tom Cowie had lost patience with Alan Durban and fired him. Len Ashurst was appointed soon after.

The 1984/85 season would be Chris Turner’s last with us. Sunderland were relegated, but not before fighting and playing their way to Wembley in the League Cup final.

Chris Turner was simply fantastic throughout the season. Highlights included four penalties saved and amazing displays against Spurs and Chelsea in the League Cup.

In 1985, he was chosen player of the season. He appeared in fifty-three games this season, and despite the team’s struggles on the field, he was magnificent in goal! After playing 224 games for the club, he was sold to Manchester United, purportedly to be Gary Bailey’s understudy.

The sum of £275,000 equalled the record for a Sunderland player. While Chris Turner left Roker Park with many good wishes, those who saw him play in our colours will miss him greatly.

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