Eric Gates’ time at Sunderland hadn’t always been easy. For the first time in his career the former England striker dropped into the second division to join the Roker Park club in 1985, turning down top flight Newcastle in the process, but his first two seasons at the club had been a horrendous struggle, culminating in relegation to the third tier.
Despite being on the transfer list as the club sought to offload his wages, the 32-year-old fought his way into Denis Smith’s team, forming a deadly strike
partnership with new arrival Marco Gabbiadini.
So it was fitting, therefore, that it was Gates’ goal that sealed Sunderland’s promotion at the first attempt as Sunderland battled to a 1-0 win over Port Vale at Vale Park.
The Sunderland Echo declared Sunderland as ‘Champions’ after the match – technically, we weren’t, but it would have taken a massive shift in goal difference to deprive Sunderland of the championship trophy.
The game that sealed our fate wasn’t all plain sailing – the Vale keeper Mark Grew was in exceptional form – but with jsut ten minutes left Gates forced the ball home to seal all three points, and promotion.
I was beginning to worry would never get the ball past the Vale keeper. When Marco had a shot headed off the line I thought that was our last chance – I’ve never been so relieved to see a goal go in.
With Denis Smith and Viv Busby in charge, this club can go all the way back to the first division, and I’d like to go with them. I’m going to talk about a new contract this week.
The game should have been done and dusted way before Gates’ late intervention. Despite stuttering through most of 1988 so far, Sunderland had chipped away at the task in hand, and seemed intent to seal the deal in Burslam. Gates’ goal saw Sunderland break records for goals, wins and points in a season, and should have hat a hatful against a team beated only twice at home all season.
Grew pulled off save after save, but Gates’ goal from close range sparked wild celebrations, as Sunderland – wearing their light blue Tuborg sponsored kit – revelled in promotion.
Chairman Bob Murray said: It’s unbelievable. The only joy I’ve known like it in life was when my daughters were born.
Murray, who was just 41 at the time, had taken over a club in dire staits, had joined the board in 1984, and had been chairman for the past couple of years, after taking control from Tom Cowie and facing a fierce boardroom battle with Barry Batey.
The lifelong supporter, who had been a regular at Roker Park, said:
I’d never been in business in Sunderland I didn’t know anyone at the club when I first wrote to Tom Cowie asking if I could help in any way. I was born and bred in Consett and became a qualified accountant, but the nearest I could get to a decent job was in Leeds.
Denis had worked 20-odd years for the chance of this job – it’s the platform he nad Viv Busby needed. I told him it would be like turning the QE2 around, but Denis is a strong, determined character, and highly motivated.
Also sending his congratulations north was a former Sunderland manager, Ken Knighton, who was boss when Sunderland last won promotion eight years previously.
The 43 year old had left football by this point, and the Sunday Sun had tracked him down to his Bristol office, where he worked as an executive for ‘telecommunications giant Plessey.
I always follow their fortunes, and I’m delighted to see what they are doing – I’m sure they’ll soon be back in the first division. I don’t think Denis will have any problems. The squad he has got now are good enough to get out of the Second division as well, and I certainly hope he can do it. They are a quality club.
With a second division returned sealed, Sunderland looked ahead to an Easter Monday clash against Northampton, which would seal the championship trophy – if other results hadn’t sealed it for the club before kick off.
It wasn’t all overwhelming positivity, however – The Football Echo that night, meanwhile, carried a letter from a disgruntled supporter still annoyed by the previous week’s failure to beat Bristol City…
Just goes to show, you can’t please all of the people, all of the time!
