Good Start…
On this day in 1996, there was no fixture to report on, but there was excitement on Wearside for many different reasons, not least because there were only four days to go until the first top-flight Wear-Tyne derby for a number of years.
Anticipation was high because of the journey Peter Reid had taken us all on in the eighteen months or so that led to this point. After saving the club from relegation to the third tier with seven games to go, he then dragged us to the league title the following season
with virtually the same squad, so we could see what all the excitement was about in the relatively new Premier League for the first time.
Leicester City – who were promoted via the play-offs as we won the title – were opened out season when they travelled to Roker, and new signing Niall Quinn had a late-goal ruled out that would have given Sunderland all three points instead of one to open.
A trip to Nottingham Forest days later saw an emphatic 4-1 win, with Quinn scoring twice, and a daunting trip that followed to Liverpool could have easily turned into a famous victory, but Reid’s side had to settle for a point in a game which former Liverpool player Paul Stewart particularly enjoyed:
So many people were writing us off before a ball was kicked and this result gives us all great satisfaction. Not many teams will get a result at Anfield and I doubt if we will get any credit either. I have enjoyed this all right.
I have got my life back together since I joined Sunderland and it is an understatement to say I enjoyed this result. I always knew I could play and if I need to be in a Sunderland shirt playing against Liverpool to prove it, that is OK with me.
Derby Day Ban
With all the usual build-up to the derby, this one was overshadowed by the ban for away supporters, which a week prior to this looked possible but Northumbria Police steadfastly refused to move on their initial stance once the clubs had agreed to ban away fans.
They changed their minds following talks between Sunderland and Rick Parry, Chief Executive of the Premier League.
The ball was then back in Newcastle’s court, but when they failed to meet Tuesday’s 10am deadline, their allocation of 1,010 tickets for the Roker End went on sale as previously announced to Sunderland season ticket holders.
Newcastle already had money-spinning contingency plans in full swing, 8,000 to be precise to watch on a big screen at the Newcastle Arena at a nice £8. There were also reports of some even snapping up a Roker season ticket at a cost in excess of £100.
However, Newcastle United chief executive Freddie Fletcher claims it wasn’t his club’s fault that fans would be locked out of the derby. Writing in the official club magazine United, he said he was furious that the club was taking the blame for the fiasco:
We would never inconvenience our fans for the sake of saving money. It was Sunderland Football Club who moved quickly to try to stop Newcastle fans getting into the ground.
For Sunderland FC to say Northumbria Police were involved in this is utterly wrong. Even Fred Bailey admitted this in the minutes. The police were only consulted once everyone agreed, and they supported that decision. Sunderland wanted the ban, Sunderland’s directors were worried about safety problems.
Sunderland agreed to ban visiting fans. We went along with these requests. So what happens? Sunderland FC at the last moment decided that there was never any problem in the first place. It stinks. But don’t blame Newcastle. Don’t blame Northumbria Police. Blame Sunderland.
In other news…
SAFC Voted Best On The Net…
Sunderland was on this day in 1996, voted as having the best football site for internet users in the country by Internet magazine – how things have changed – it also reached number two in the Internet Top Ten chart.
The Echo’s chief sports writer at the time, Geoff Storey, regularly supplied the site with match reports and Internet magazine said: “Having only been promoted to the top flight in May, already they’ve won their first trophy of the season with a beautifully constructed and comprehensive site.”
There had been more than 10,000 visits to the Sunderland site from all over the world since it started in the previous November as the first official football site in the country. Lesley Coates, SAFC’s corporate communications manager, said: “It’s great to be a hit off the pitch as well as on it.”
Big Sam To Follow Ajax On Wearside…
Sam Allardyce was handed the daunting task of hauling Sunderland’s youth policy onto the same platform as Ajax on this day in 1996.
The Dutch club were the benchmark during the 1990’s as Big Sam replaced Mick Ferguson, who was relieved of his duties of Director of Youth after a year in the role after Jimmy Montgomery had vacated the job.
Allardyce had been shown the managerial exit door by Blackpool the previous year, and the then 41-year-old was given a difficult task by his new gaffer Reid:
Sam in the long run wants to get involved in senior level because he is an experienced manager. But he did a good job at Blackpool and Preston North End and I want the youth system here to be as good as Ajax in the long run. I am a great believer in young players and I want, if possible, all the best young players in the area.
Ord For England…?
As England began life under new manager Glenn Hoddle a 24-hours later in Moldova, Richard Ord was reported to have been close to making his first squad back on this day in 1996, but he was keeping his feet on the ground after his fantastic start to the season in the top flight:
Playing for England is the furthest thing from my mind. I am enjoying myself in the Premiership. I’ve had a lot of hard times and now that I have actually made it, I intend to make the most of it.
You never know what’s round the corner in this game. I’m more relaxed on the ball now and all I am interested in at the moment is concentrating on keeping my place in the Sunderland team. I had a call the other day saying my name had been mentioned on the radio on a possible England call-up, but I’m looking no further than our next game.
Apparently it’s not a very nice play to go, according to media reports, but I’m sure the new coach, Glenn Hoddle, will get a good response from what is virtually the Euro 96 squad. The players did ever so well for Terry Venables, so there were only going to be one or two changes to his first squad. It may be unpleasant out there, but I’m sure the players will put the conditions to the back of their minds and make a winning start.
Voice Of The Fans…
With the opening of the as yet unnamed new stadium on the horizon, the supporters Liaison Group provided Sunderland AFC with a list of desirable facilities which supporters wished to see included in the design of the new stadium at a meeting held during the close season in the summer of 1996.
And what follows was the complete list, and the club’s responses, as published in the Echo on this day back in 1996 – and thirty years later, it makes for some interesting reading:
“The capacity of the stadium should be 45,000 to 50,000” – Initial capacity will be 40,000, operating to 34,000 initially, but with the option to expand given circumstances and demand for expansion.
“All concreting to have rounded edges with a view to safety” – All concreting will be designed and constructed to legal safety requirements.
“100 Hospitality boxes to maximise Corporate Hospitality” – 54 boxes will be made available (raised from 36 to accommodate suggestion).
“A lounge with Airline-style seating for 1000 as at PSV Eindhoven and Anderlecht” – 3500 seats in the main stand that will be larger than the normal seat.
“Internal walls plastered so as to accommodate portraits of famous players or events” – Accepted. Under consideration.
“Souvenirs of stadium to be on sale” – Accepted. Available at Visitor Centre.
“A special price season ticket for the first and second season sold as soon as possible in advance” – Accepted.
“Statues of famous players erected on approaches to stadium” – Accepted. Under consideration.
“Rake of stands as steep as possible, close to pitch as possible, low roof” – Designed to state-of-the-art specifications with this in mind.
“Giant video screens at both ends” – Prohibitive cost. Wembley-style scoreboards at both ends, however.
“State-of-the-art sound system” – Absolutely.
“Monitors around the interior showing videos of previous games” – Accepted. Numerous, all around interior.
“Catering facilities of a varied range” – Accepted. It is believed that everyone will be catered for as far as possible.
“Cinema complex for bored wives and post-match entertainment” – No.
“Snooker and pool lounge” – Accepted. Under consideration.
“Supporters’ Members bar” – There will be bars but not catering for specific groups.
“Guided tours of stadium” – Accepted. Under consideration.
“Part of ground set aside for rookie members, at reduced rate” – Under consideration.
“Seats to have arm rests with ample leg room for six-footers” Accepted. Design specification is to state-of-the-art.
“Ramps in all areas to ease access, lifts where necessary, railings and appropriate facilities” – Ramped where appropriate, stairs only in top tier of main stand. Access to all areas.
“Museum” – Under consideration in the form of a themed recreational area.
“Special ticket prices to encourage family attendance” – See proposed season ticket prices.
“Regular open days” – Under consideration.
“Banking facilities” – Not at the moment.
“Part of pitch to be relocated to new stadium in respect for those whose remains lie at Roker Park” – This will be accommodated.
“Club to adopt chaplain. Weddings and celebrations to be held.” – Accepted. Licence applied for.
“Creche” – No.
“Community facilities for use midweek” – Accepted. Under consideration.
“Disabled facilities for away supporters” – Definitely.
“Senior Citizens Gate” – See proposed new season ticket prices.
“Information screens similar to airports and stations” – Included in monitors around interior.
“Joint supporters and club membership scheme administered by the supporters” – Under separate discussion elsewhere.
“Name Roker to be incorporated in new stadium name” – N/A.
“Sports superstore” – Store on site will be eight times larger than the current club shop at Roker Park.
“Senior Citizen’s lounge” – Designated senior citizens areas.
“No smoking seated areas” – Accepted. Under consideration.
“Parking facilities for bicycles” – Where practical.
“Women only area and lounge” – No.
“Existing Season Ticket holders given seat choice at new stadium” – Accepted.
“Ticket outlets throughout the North East” – At least ten planned throughout the North East and in the future full advantage to be taken of developing technology for maximising sales.
Red & White Tractor Back At Preston…
And last but not least, John Kay accepted the offer of a month’s contract with Preston North End in a bid to kick-start his career on this day in 1996.
The full-back was released at the end of the previous season after nine years at Roker, and the then 32-year-old right back answered an SOS from the Second Division promotion hopefuls after a trial with Darlington saw Kay turn down a chance to join Brian Atkinson at Feethams; and he also rejected offers from two other clubs, including Scarborough.
Kay signed a month’s contract despite being predictably booked after just 17 minutes of his debut in a goalless draw with Bristol Rovers.
