My father in law Ray Leadbitter was Sunderland through and through. Born in Palmer Street he attended Bishopwearmouth School. He served his time at Doxfords and when he joined the MN he went to sea on the Chinese Prince, a ship whose engine he had helped to build. He witnessed the sinking of the Rhona in the Med- which saw the largest loss of American life in maritime history. Later he worked for Cosmos and Thorn Radio Valves and Tubes and on Saturdays was a regular at Roker Park. His hero was of course Len Shackleton and he used to regularly regale me with Shack stories. A keen historian and genealogist he died in 2015 aged 92. His grandsons John and Ben carry on his passion for Sunderland AFC.
Shared by Wall of Fame archive · 1 May 2026