http://sportsbyte.sunderland.ac.uk/the-1980s-sunderland-basketball-side-in-pictures/? Great photo's of the Sunderland basketball team from the 80's the Wear had great basketball and ice hockey with the Wasp before being raped and pillaged for the great Sporting Club that is the 'Team full of Geordies'
I believe it was the money of John Hall that absolutely changed the face of North East sport, and much for the worse in my opinion. The Sunderland basketball club had grown from a natural beginning to being one of the top sides in the country with European qualification being achieved. Durham Wasps ice hockey had a great and distinguished history and were undoubtedly one of the most recognised names in the sport in this country. These were wiped out in one fell swoop with John Hall buying them out and moving everything to Newcastle lock, stock and barrel.
