Gary Rowell, (born 6 June 1957), is a former footballer—most notably with Sunderland A.F.C.—and a current local (North East) radio football commentator and newspaper columnist.Born in Seaham, he left school and joined Sunderland as an apprentice in 1972. His career was split (1972–84) between playing as a striker (albeit often coming from deep) and in midfield for Sunderland.