OTD: PATSY GALLACHER BORN
- BY THOMAS THORNTON
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
On this day in 1909, Patsy Gallacher was born in Bridge of Weir. The forward would go on to make over 300 appearances for Sunderland, scoring 107 times, and won a league title, FA Cup and Charity Shield during his nine years on Wearside.
He made his debut in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at Roker Park and eventually became a fans' favourite. He was part of the FA Cup winning side of 1937, being heavily involved in the third and final red and white goal at Wembley, which was scored by Eddie Burbanks. As well as his influence in the final, Patsy scored the winner in the semi final against Milwall at Leeds Road, Huddersfield.
'The Might Atom' was famous for his fine ball control and dribbling skills, as well as clinical finishing. Gallacher would often switch positions with SAFC legend Raich Carter, with the pair both playing out wide on the left and right. Sunderland won the First Division in the 1935/36 season, with Gallacher helping the Lads to the title. He scored 20 goals that season, which was his best goalscoring campaign, continuing his prolific form. His goal tally, which included six hat-tricks, reached double figures in six successive seasons between 1931/32 and 1936/37. A year after our FA Cup win, Gallacher moved to Stoke City. However, due to injuries the forward only played four games, before leaving the club just before the start of World War II.
Gallacher scored in his only ever international appearance for Scotland, in a 2-1 defeat to Ireland in 1934. The striker was still playing for Sunderland at the time. Patsy passed away on January 4th 1992, aged 82.
