I was only 10, but 50 years on I will never tire of watching this again. Amazing day and an amazing performance against arguably the best team in the land at that time. The noise was incredible, both inside the ground and afterwards. Leeds threw everything at us, but our defence were immense. Strangely, when you look back at it, apart from the wonder save, Monty was never really troubled. The second best save of the day was Harvey's from Halom. One of the greatest days of my life. That day and the Man City game will be embedded in my me for the rest of my life.
In the words of the Welsh Rugby bard... Max Boyce.... "I was there" . Best day of my life bar non. Four brothers together what a day, never to be forgotten, 50 years ago incredible. The most talked about cup final ever...and I don't mean just in the North East...our boys are legends. I could go on....
I’m a little reticent to “celebrate” this. It just doesn’t feel right to me. So sad that it’s so long since we won a proper trophy.
I had to laugh when the commentator said 'no Geordie team has ever lost at Wembley' ... ... roll on 1974
The best bit, look at the football played right at the end - should have been 2-0 Vic Halom, Vic Halom , Vic Halom
It’s quite amazing when he blows for full time how many of our supporters were jumping to celebrate in the Leeds end of the ground. Amazing. Goose bumps every time he blows for full time.
The following is a response to Susan Ashurst on the Sunderland Former Players Association Facebook page but I think merits being shown to others. Susan had been at something earlier as her hubby who played in the cup run was not one of the players invited to the Gala Dinner “ shame we couldn’t make that too but with the travel too much for Dave and the dinner started so early and we didn’t get back to hotel until midnight! Dave was struggling by end of it all and could hardly walk. Me too with all the driving and caring. Any future ‘dos’ organisers much provide drivers or we can’t come. We paid for second night in hotel and tbh I’m still worn out. Not looking forward to driving back. Not many women my age would do this and I’m not going to any more. The driving is one thing but doing so while caring for someone else who recently on trip back from Wembley in heavy traffic and already dark disengaged the gear shift just as I was going into outside lane at 70mph! If sponsors, club or whoever want Dave there in future and he is still able, his situation has to be considered more fully. By the way, when I said to organiser I needed to stay the extra night as I knew Dave would be wiped out the day after and I offered to pay, the club didn’t say we’ll cover that! The money they’ve made from the event and the cup run generally you’d think they’d want to ensure the Man of the Match who is suffering now but still ‘with us’ would be cared for. At the Gala Dinner we were having to pay for our own drinks until I kicked up a fuss on behalf of Vic Halom and others too. At one point Vic was ready to walk out! Seemed some players tables they had free drinks and others where we were dud not. Really bad, disrespectful and hurtful. The fans are not like that but there is something fundamentally wrong and not using the expertise of Dennis Tueart (who has a successful business based on corporate hospitality but using amateurs instead even though he offered) speaks volumes. Sour taste in our mouths.” Why do I bother even writing this? Because I hate injustice and will fight for all the former players as you all know with my campaigning. Would be so easy for me to do nothing but my continence ……. God bless you dear Sunderland fans. You and City fans are outstanding. Love you all. Penny
