Denis Smith Douses Hopes of Chris Turner’s Return to Sunderland

On June 8, 1987, Sunderland's newly appointed manager, Denis Smith, dashed the hopes of fans wishing for the return of goalkeeper Chris Turner to Roker Park. Despite the excitement surrounding the potential reunion, Smith made it clear that financial constraints would prevent the move from happening.

Turner, originally from Sheffield, had made a name for himself as one of the brightest young talents in English football. He began his career at Sheffield Wednesday and was swiftly signed by Sunderland for approximately £80,000 in 1979, where he competed for the starting position against Barry Siddall. He played a crucial role during Sunderland's promotion to the top tier, becoming the club’s primary goalkeeper until their relegation in 1985.

Following his time at Sunderland, Turner transferred to Manchester United for £275,000. However, he struggled to secure a starting role due to tough competition from goalkeepers like Gary Bailey and Jim Leighton. Meanwhile, Sunderland faced challenges in his absence and ultimately fell to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.

After Turner requested to be placed on the transfer list at United, rumors began circulating about a potential return to Sunderland. Smith, however, had to temper expectations, stating, “I am afraid he is not in Sunderland’s price bracket at the moment.” A fan group attempted to fund the transfer but ultimately failed to meet the financial demands.

Amidst these developments, Smith was also focused on securing other players for the squad. He expressed confidence in Iain Hesford, Sunderland's current keeper, stating that mistakes are part of the game and should not solely fall on him. Additionally, Smith aimed to keep winger Paul Atkinson at the club despite reports of his desire to move to Middlesbrough.