Kirtley passes away

Kirtley was an inside-forward who played for the club between the years of 1948 and 1955. He was born in Washington but settled in Rhyl, Wales after a spell playing for them. He also starred for Gateshead and Cardiff City.

Niall Quinn, Sunderland's chairman, said: "It's always very sad when we lose a member of our Sunderland family.

"Harry was a local lad, playing for his hometown club and his loss will be felt by everyone at the football club."