On This Day (16 March 1968): Returning manager Brown finally shows his steel
Yesterday at 02:00 AM
Following Ian McColl's departure, Sunderland needed some leadership from the top as some important bridge building took place at Roker Park
When Ian McColl was ditched in 1967/1968, he was replaced by a familiar face, with former manager Alan Brown returning to Sunderland after a four-year absence.
Following promotion to the top flight, his initial departure in 1964 had come as something of a shock, although strong rumours of a personal dispute with the board soon started to surface.
However, regardless of the reason, there was certainly a sense of 'unfinished business' for Brown, and now that McColl's reign had ran its course, the consensus was that it was time to resolve any differences.
This had been McColl's third season at the helm and whilst the Lads never quite slipped into the relegation zone on his watch, he regularly split opinions on the terraces. We were often criticised for treading water and not doing much else, and his reputation wasn't helped by reports of poor man management and a lack of discipline.
The Scot's team selections also came into question and our form had been dire in the build up to his dismissal.
This suggested that a relegation battle was looming, although his final match in charge on Saturday 3 February had brought a win against Sheffield Wednesday — who at that point were managed by none other than Alan Brown himself.
By the time Sunderland were next in action, Brown had left the Owls and returned to Roker Park, although according to official sources including chairman Syd Collings, there had been no furtive talks behind the scenes at Hillsborough come the end of the match.
The press was told that the hierarchy first raised the matter with their recent hosts in the days after the game, seeking clarification from Wednesday chairman Dr. Stephen regarding Brown's status as a non-contract employee and that a formal telephone application for the Sunderland post was only submitted after 'Bomber' had informed the Yorkshiremen that he wished to be released.
It was claimed that Brown then travelled to the North East, arriving at lunchtime on Friday 9 February and being met by Sunderland officials before allegedly commencing brief negotiations.
That particular detail would've been queried by McColl however, who upon announcing that he'd been relieved of his duties on the morning of Thursday 8 February, had already intimated to journalists who would be replacing him.
Whether he was simply making an educated guess at that stage is open to conjecture, but it appears that he had no inkling beforehand that he was about to be let go, having already named his starting eleven for the upcoming fixture against Tottenham Hotspur and taken part in discussions regarding the imminent sale of star striker Neil Martin.
Brown's annual salary was estimated to be around £10,000 to £12,000, although during his first games back, results continued to slip, with four defeats on the bounce and the Lads subsequently falling into the drop zone.
Having failed to win a competitive game since taking on Sheffield Wednesday, a return to the Steel City to take on their neighbours United was next on the agenda on this day, and this was when the revival everybody had been hoping for was finally sparked into action.
Despite recent victories over West Ham United and Fulham, fellow strugglers United went into the game still looking over their shoulders and any confidence they'd gained was soon swept away by their guests, who were on song from the start despite another discipline/selection saga the night before.
Gordon Harris, who'd debuted in McColl's last stand, went some way to confirming the Sheffield double by opening his Sunderland scoring account, but his return to the side after a thigh injury was only confirmed when a reshuffle was necessitated by Brown's decision to immediately suspend Calvin Palmer for what he described as a 'breach of club rules'.
Although Brown wouldn't be drawn on the specifics, the incident was believed to have been related to a team trip to a local Sheffield cinema, which Palmer left early, having already seen the movie that was being screened.
Signed in late February and the most expensive player on the books at the time, he was said to have gone straight back to the hotel and waited there for his teammates — who were presumably wishing they'd also walked out, given that 'The Scalp Hunters' was described as 'lousy' by an unnamed member of the party — to return.
Quite what Brown made of the picture is unknown.
Perhaps he'd been a regular caller to the venue when living in the area and was happy just to be making another visit, but he was unimpressed with the actions of Palmer, whose Saturday viewing now that he was banished from the traveling squad took place at the Victoria Ground — where his former club Stoke City were up against Sheffield Wednesday, no less.
Brown already had gained a reputation as a fierce stickler for the rules and his handling of Palmer — whom he notably didn't single out for criticism when announcing the seven-day suspension and whose general attitude he otherwise praised — laid down a marker to the other players.
Tales of excessive drinking and debauchery were rife under McColl and boundaries needed to be set.
However, points were required too and the boss saw sense in not alienating key men right now, particularly as Palmer had worked hard all week at Lilleshall, where along with eleven other teammates he'd been accompanied by the manager, trainer Billy Elliott and Vice President Stanley Ritson before linking up with the rest of the squad in Yorkshire.
Once we were ready to get down to business at Bramall Lane, Sunderland were met with blustery winds (which weren't helped by the ground's open configuration, covering both a football pitch and cricket field), but they had the upper hand in the first half and Colin Suggett, playing wider to accommodate Harris, looked a real threat.
However, some of the action was scrappy and there were several fouls that broke things up, with one late tackle leading to the opener after Mick Hill was cautioned.
His entry into the book came with a stern lecture from Cannock-based referee Mr W.G Handley, but the real punishment was seeing the resulting free kick being swung in by Len Ashurst, and whilst partially cleared at first, the ball was swiftly played back into the box and once helped on by George Herd, Harris was able to slam it home from close range.
Jimmy Montgomery had a few loose ends to tidy up in the aftermath, yet Sunderland were still able go for the jugular.
We kept the pressure up and in the 59th minute, another free kick saw the Lads go 0-2 up, with the set piece being awarded in this instance for a Len Badger foul on Suggett.
George Mulhall took the kick and his dangerous cross caused panic in front of goal before a scuffed clearance fell perfectly at Suggett's feet for him to hook in. It was then time to shut up shop and whilst brave play meant that both Monty and Herd needed treatment, Brown's side remained in control.
In the 89th minute, Badger started a move which ended with Willie Carlin sticking out a leg out and turning the ball over the line as it rebounded off the bar.
Despite the hosts getting a goal back, captain George Kinnell had been in superb form and the hard yards done by the Lads meant the goal would be too little, too late for the Blades and from a state of concern, we ended the day within touching distance of those above —and with games in hand.
Additionally, Brown now had proof that his stricter methods were worth sticking with.
This was only our second victory in nineteen league and cup matches but by displaying greater organisation and adhering to his guidelines, the Lads followed it up with just two further losses in their final eleven fixtures, easing themselves away from danger as a result.
Saturday 16 March 1968
Football League Division One
Bramall Lane
Attendance: 21,701
Sheffield United 1 (Carlin 88')
Sunderland 2 (Harris 39', Suggett 58')
Sunderland: Montgomery, Irwin, Ashurst (Butler 74'); Todd, Kinnell, Harvey; Brand, Suggett, Harris; Herd, Mulhall
