10 Shocking Sunderland Departures That Nobody Expected

6. Don Hutchinson

Don Hutchinson ticked all the boxes in proving popular with the fans. A committed and hard-working player? Check. A local lad? Check. A goal against Newcastle? Absolutely - he grabbed the equalizer in the second of the famous 2-1 wins at St James' Park (the one where Sorenson saved Shearer's penalty, as if you'd forgotten). As part of a very promising Sunderland line-up under Peter Reid, a bright future beckoned. So, unfortunately, did West Ham United. They reportedly offered Hutchinson a wage increase worth an extra £10,000 a week, an offer which he snapped up. The move is sometimes cited as one of the reasons Sunderland's momentum stalled. They finished 17th the following season, and were subsequently relegated the year after. Many fans are yet to forgive "the Don" for his greed, while some are still able to fondly look back on his derby day heroics.