Tyne v Wear - 1963/64
Summary
Sunderland eventually secured promotion whilst a disastrous run of five defeats in the last seven games wrecked any chances of United joining them.
The season also saw the shock move of Stan Anderson from Sunderland to Newcastle; it was the biggest transfer shock in the region since Len Shackleton moved in the opposite direction some 15 years earlier.
| 1963/64 | 9th Oct | Div 2 | Sunderland [A] | Lost | 1-2 [1-1] | 56,980 |
- Hollins
- Keith
- Dalton
- Burton
- McGrath
- Ileyl
- Hilley
- Suddick
- Thomas
- McGarry
- Taylor [1]
- Montgomery
- Irwin
- Ashurst [1]
- Harvey
- Hurley
- McNab
- Usher
- Herd [1]
- Sharkey
- Crossan
- Mulhall
United had made an average start to the season (8th), being let down by their poor away form; four defeats in five matches. Sunderland had started better and were just outside the promotion places.
It was an exciting clash played at a tremendous pace throughout with United matching Sunderland in effort if not skill
Indeed it was The Magpies who took the lead when Colin Taylor [14th] slammed the ball in after Charlie Hurley had diverted a cross out of Montgomery's reach.
Both sides had chances and then just before the break Len Ashurst scored from a 25 yard free-kick to even the score.
After the break it was one way traffic with United desperately attempting to hold on for a draw. They survived until nine minutes from time when Herd scored the winner.
United went on to lose their next four games; slumping to 18th in the process.
| 1963/64 | 14th Mar | D2 | Sunderland [H] | Won | 1-0 [1-0] | 27,341 |
- Marshall
- Craig D
- Dalton
- Anderson
- McGrath
- Iley
- Hilley
- McGarry [1p]
- Cummings
- Penman
- Suddick
- Montgomery
- Nelson
- Ashurst
- Harvey
- Hurley
- Elliot
- Usher
- Herd
- Sharkey
- Crossan
- Mulhall
By the time of the return United had turned their season around. They had climbed to 6th after winning ten of their last sixteen games. Sunderland were in even better form and were storming to promotion having won six of their last eight.
Not surprisingly a big crowd was expected at SJP. However on the morning of the game the rain started to come down in torrents.
Signs saying the game was off mysteriously appeared at Central Station and many Sunderland supporters turned straight back. Rumours spread that the match had been called off and even some United fans stayed at home. As a result the crowd was only 27,341.
Stan Anderson captained United against his old club and led them out on a claggy, waterlogged pitch. United adapted to the conditions far better with their more direct approach; in contrast Sunderland's players looked distinctly lightweight.
United controlled the match from start to finish with half-backs Iley and Anderson dominating the proceedings and and were well worth their victory. Marshall barely had a shot to save.
The only goal of the game came after 14 minutes. Hilley lifted the ball over the onrushing Montgomery and Sunderland's covering captain Hurley fisted it around the post.
McGarry's penalty wasn't great but it had just enough on it to beat Montgomery's dive to the right.