 The first goal of the three, scored after only ten seconds, was believed to be the fastest goal in Sunderland's history.Playing alongside the likes of Len Shackleton and Billy Bingham, he scored 42 goals in 96 games for the club over a three-year career.Purdon was a big man whose "physique allied to a total lack of fear made him a handful for any centre-half"; West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Norman Heath was in collision with him during a game and received spinal injuries so severe that he never played again.