SUNDERLAND PRONOUNCE LEEDS UNITED DEAD

A homecoming.....and a funeral.

May 5 1973 is a date that will be forever prominent for Sunderland Association Football Club and remains one that fans of Leeds United will be keen to forget. 

The Wearside club, then a second division side, humbled Don Revie’s outstanding team of the era with a 1-0 win in the FA cup final at Wembley.

The final between Leeds and Sunderland is still revered as one of THE matches of the decade, not because this was an outstanding end to end contest (apart from Sunderland goalkeeper Jim Montgomery’s heroics, it wasn’t) but the game provided a reminder - and still does - of football’s eternal appeal.  The imagery associated with the game itself might not be something that Leeds supporters will be keen to recall, but for Sunderland fans it remains true nirvana.  The spectacle of manager Bob Stokoe running across Wembley’s hallowed turf resplendent in his hat and beige mac is as synonymous with the era as Evel Knievel on a motorbike or David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust.

Of course, you already know all this and you’ve seen all the pictures.  Or maybe you haven’t.

We found a set of prints in the archives at Colorsport which feature not the game itself, but the Sunderland team’s homecoming and a celebration at Roker Park.  Included is a mock up coffin depicting the death of Leeds United....which of course it wasn’t.  Revie led his team to the First Division title the following season.  His last trophy with the club.

We think these pictures really capture the spirit of an era, so do let us know what you think. 

As always the images are available to buy as high quality prints directly from Colorsport and you can do that by following this link. 

Leeds fans, we’ll make it up to you in the next couple of weeks, promise!

Click here to view the gallery.