On the 5th May 1973

My late father, RIP, top bloke and all, let me play japs and Brits with my other 10 year old mates on Doverdale Road while he enjoyed history... Probably with a can of Mcewans or two... God bless him

 

My mates decided to stay the night after the match but I had to get back for my dad, who had been admitted into hospital a few days earlier. The train back had loads of empty table seats with reserved signs on them because of lads deciding to stay in London. I was elated at the win but pissed off about having to leave the celebrating behind, especially as next day was my birthday! So I celebrated/consoled myself with 6 cans of Mcewans best scotch. There was a gang of Leeds supporters standing at the end of the carriage where the toilet was, challenging any Sunderland supporter that passed to fight and shouting foul mouthed abuse at anyone who passed by them. A father escorted his daughter to the toilet ,and when she came out the gang voiced filthy comments to her, such as inviting her to give them a **** and a shag. She was only a bairn - 12/13yrs - which was obvious by her white ankle socks. The poor father couldn’t do anything against their numbers so just shepherded her away. Then they started ripping the basin and toilet seat out of the toilet. Thankfully, they got off at the next stop. A minute later half a dozen bobbies got on then got off and went in the same direction as the Leeds yobs. Hope they got them. With not having had much to eat all day and the cans of beer, when I got to Shields I nearly got out on the wrong side of the train, which brought loud shouts of concern from the other passengers. I pretended that I new what I was doing and was just kidding! Dad was ok and came home days later.

 

Anyone remember it lashing down with rain all morning- but clearing up about 2:09 ? I seem to have a memory of us thinking it was the first ever rainy cup final day