Ex Files - William Mocquet

The former French U-21 international had found things pretty hard on Wearside and had been unable to force his way into the Sunderland side. He failed to make a single appearance for the Mackems, yet within a game or two of arriving, he had become one of the most vital players in our squad.

He was your old fashioned right winger. Bags of pace, and an ability to deliver a peach of a cross, and all this in a side which was renowned for not playing wingers. Critics put this down to his inability to speak English, and therefore not understanding team talks.

Such was his success with Dale, he was immediately taken to the hearts of the Dale supporters, and nicknamed Billy Rocket by the fans. But as always, his spell with Dale was much too short and he returned to Sunderland after just seven matches.

Enquiries were made about extending the loan and even capturing Mocquet on a permanent basis, but his wages had been heavily subsidised by Sunderland during his loan spell, and it had been made clear this would not be continuing if the loan spell was extended.

He blotted his copybook after leaving us by joining Bury on a loan deal, but he had nowhere near the impact with the Shakers that it was with us, though he was part of the Bury side which successfully avoided relegation at the back end of the season.

He was released by Sunderland at the end of the 2006-7 season.

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