On This Day (24th December 1986 & 1987): Sunderland anticipation followed by an early unwrapping

12/24/2024 01:00 AM

On Christmas Eve in the 80s, my mother would say to me… "this is what has been happening at SAFC!"

Anticipation was growing across the Sunderland fan base on Christmas Eve 1986, and not just because the big day was now only a few hours away. Once the unwrapping and eating were done with there would be the small matter of a Boxing Day trip to old foes Leeds United to look forward to also, and boss Lawrie McMenemy was confident of another strong turnout in Yorkshire.

Speaking to Geoff Storey of The Echo for the 24^th of December's editions, the Roker boss was full of praise for the supporters – aware perhaps that despite a good win against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend he was still in need of as much backing as he could get. Prior to the Lads beating Bobby Saxton's side results had been poor and, not for the first time, McMenemy went on a charm offensive as he sought to curry favour and buy himself more time.

Nevertheless, there was some truth in what he said, and now that an eight game winless run had been halted, he hoped to keep things going;

We had six or seven thousand fans at Leeds last season…I hope for the same again on Boxing Day. It's a good old fashioned match between two old rivals. We will have a lot of fans there and I don't want to let them down. There are no better fans than ours.

McMenemy got his Christmas wish too, as Sunderland would come away from Elland Road with a respectable 1-1 draw hardly in keeping with their otherwise unsatisfactory away record. The unexpected point was possibly down to the squad being able to enjoy Christmas with their loved ones, as per the boss' pre-game preparations;

We will train tomorrow tea-time… The players can have their Christmas Day with their families and eat what they want as they know they will be running it off later in the day.

Sadly though, the good spirits were short lived as 24 hours on from Boxing Day came a dismal home loss to Grimsby Town. Things then got really desperate in the spring time and come Christmas Eve 1987 McMenemy was long gone. He dropped a shoulder towards the end of 86-87 and despite the best efforts of caretaker Bob Stokoe relegation to the third tier could not be avoided, so it was now Denis Smith trying to deal with the long term consequences.

Still attempting to put together a competitive yet balanced group whilst also somehow helping balance the books, Smith had more than just some nice words for the loyal fans still sticking with the club; he'd managed to land an early present in the form of a new goalkeeper. Former England Youth Tim Carter had initially been approached for a loan switch, but when that was blocked by the authorities he instead came on a permanent deal – selling club Bristol Rovers agreeing to a cut price deal for their stopper, who had been placed on the transfer list at his own request.

Carter had been so keen to sign up that he travelled through the night so that he could arrive in town in time to complete a medical and fill out his registration forms ahead of the Football League closing its doors for the Christmas holidays at midday on the 24^th. Having experienced train delays he got off at Gloucester and arranged for a friend to pick him up and take him the rest of the way – turning up at 03:00 and impressing Smith greatly in the process.

The most hectic time of the year was set to be even more manic than usual for Carter, who then had to return to his house on Christmas Day before setting off again to join up with his new teammates in Cheshire on Boxing Day. Iain Hesford retained his place for a subsequent 2-1 victory over Chester City, but that was no surprise – after signing but before he travelled home for Christmas, the new understudy gave Storey a couple of quotes to be relaid to eager supporters reading about their latest bonus, and was clear on where he stood;

It's my ideal Christmas present. The move to Sunderland could not have come at a better time… Although the Sunderland move came out of the blue, I had no hesitation in saying yes. "People have told me of the potential here…I know I am coming in as cover for Iain Hesford, but I have no intention of being content with that role. I want first team football and I will be doing my best to get it.

Carter did get to play for the first team before the season was done, coming in against hometown rivals Bristol City after debuting at Wembley in the Mercantile Credit Football Festival – a tournament that was scheduled for two days but that saw Sunderland dropping out at the first hurdle.

Smith was not too concerned however as he had eyes of a different prize – promotion, and in May he delivered another gift in the shape of the Division Three title.