Dennis Tueart
Player name in full: Dennis Tueart
To/from dates: 1974-1983
Number of appearances: 265
Goals scored: 109
Biography:
Dennis Tueart was born on 27th November 1949 in Newcastle Upon Tyne. He joined Sunderland at the age of sixteen in 1968 making his first team debut in his playing position as a left winger the same year.
Dennis was a member of the famous Sunderland team under Bob Stokoe who beat Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup Final. He signed for Manchester City in 1974 for a then club record of £275,000 playing over a nine-year period in total.
On arrival at Manchester City in 1974, Tueart said: “I am delighted to have come to a club who are considered amongst the best in the country. I couldn’t have come to a better club or a better place than Manchester, I've not come down here to taste Lancashire hot-pot.”
City fans knew then that Dennis was intending to make a lasting impression at City and be successful. He immediately became a favourite with his dazzling flair , passion, commitment and never say die attitude, and the fans always affectionately chanted “Dennis -the king of all Geordies.”
A penalty expert and a hat trick specialist he scored three hat-tricks’ in one season alone. In 1978, City fans were crestfallen when he left City to join USA NASL team New York Cosmos.
Dennis returned to City from the USA in 1980 commenting that Manchester is the 'greatest football city in the world' and was afforded a fantastic welcome from City fans. He played in the 1981 FA Cup Final and finally left the club in 1983, joining Stoke City.
Notable facts/stories:
Dennis was an incredible player but is truly immortalised for the spectacular overhead kick which resulted in the winning goal in the 1976 League Cup Final against Newcastle United to clinch the trophy for City. This moment was voted by fans as the greatest ever moment in the competition’s history.
Non-City career (briefly):
During his two year stay at Cosmos Dennis was able to play with some of world’s greatest players including Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto. City fans always retained a keen interest in the progress of their former hero through TV and newspaper articles.
After leaving City in 1983 he played for Stoke City and Burnley before ending his playing career with Irish club Derry City in 1986. He would later become a director at Manchester City and was heavily involved in the appointment of managers Joe Royle and Kevin Keegan who were instrumental in turning City’s fortunes around in the 1990's and 2000's. He eventually left his directors role in 2007.
Dennis is married to his wife Joan and has three sons.
