I was there in the Arsenal end, could only get one ticket in the draw so "swapped " the seat ticket for two standing tickets for me and my dad. It was stunning watching the Sunderland fans from the other end, the noise through out and the demand for Stokoe to come back on the pitch. The other memory was of my dad buying me my first beer, I was only 15, from a bar inside the ground. He died two years ago, but that is one of my best memories of doing things with him. He was a Mag but always wanted Sunderland to do well and when none of my mates got tickets for the semi final to make sure I could get there he was the one who found the black market tickets so I could go.
Washy, I was in the Arsenal end with my brother, can't repeat your great dad story but what a memorable day that was, lucky to be there, no problems with the Gunners fans, it was only topped by the final itself which I was lucky enough to get tickets for, happy days.
I couldn't get a ticket for this game and was jealous as hell of my older brother who did get one..I did manage to get a ticket for the final though..
I went to the Notts County, Reading, Man City (Away) and then Luton (QF) but could not get tickets for semi or final. I had tickets for Deep Purple at Newcastle City Hall when we played City at home and it just shows you how time have changed - Ian Gillan came back on for the encore and announced the Safc v City score and the whole place cheered (and I mean the whole place) - wouldn't happen now would it. PS Comm who the f**k is Vic Halmon ?
I got to the early games at home but no ticket for semi or final. I spent the weekend in Scarborough Got the result from the green paper in York
What a night that was, we absolutely tore them to shreds, a full house under the floodlights took some beating at Roker Park, some brilliant midweek atmospheres at the old ground the SOL is a great stadium but doesn't seem to engender the same passion, it's either today's younger supporter doesn't exude the same passion or I'm remembering things with rose tinted glasses.
I donated a 35mm silent film of that to the SAFC Museum, donated a cup final one too. They better be using them as they have a shelf life.
They were working out of a container by the stadium but doing regular events and dinners(perfect to have the games playing silently against the walls). But they've just got a more permanent spot in the Library in the last few weeks. Not been. They've got loads of stuff, mainly match worn shirts, but they've struggled for space to display them.
Was lucky enough to see all home ties, the semi and final. The City game easily one of my best memories of being a supporter and those special Roker Park nights. That night was incredible for performance, result as the underdog, and the noise and atmosphere. I always say to people when Montys final save is talked about as a match winner, to look up the highlights against City, because after the 3 great goals we scored it's easy to forget the numerous great saves he made that night, without which, the final wouldn't have happened.
Missed the Notts County game as I was away with the school of n an outdoor training course at Howtown, also missed the away replay at Reading but got to all of f the other games. Main Road was my first ever away day, second was the semi and the third was the final. Not a bad three to start with. I was to young to understand the size of support we had, l had stated going when we were getting 16,000 for home games and I was stunned by the numbers at Main Road then coming back to Roker on the Sunday morning to buy tickets for the replay. What a night that was seeing the ground full for the first time and the noise! Great memories sadly I don't think we will ever generate the same sort of atmosphere at the SOL
Commo, that's the sort of question that makes you a real asset to this board. And I sincerely mean that. If I'm not much misteken, Sunderland was the first municipal museum in the world. Museums generally, started around 1800-1820 when rich industrialists opened museums "for the education of the young and the poor". A couple of generations later, when get-rich-quick became the vogue, less and less of the local rich boys were interested in the "young and poor". So a lot of British museums closed down for want of funding. There are two outstanding museums remaining in the north-east from that period. Whitby is still to this day, a privately owned museum (and such high standards are maintained there by volunteer staff that it sometimes tops many famous nationals!). The other originated when Sunderland Museum owners decided to wrap it up. But Sunderland Town Council (as was) to it's credit decided that it was not prepared to accept the neglect of the young and the poor ... and they bought it. It was, I believe, a world's first, and we ought to be very, very proud of it..
I believe Bob Stokoe ran to him when the final whistle went and later said that Monty had made better saves to that to get us to the final. Memorable season.
Yes, remember Stokoe saying so. Also the reason why no-one criticized his mistake that knocked us out of the cup winners cup the next year, cos it was a lot down to him that we were in the competition in the first place
