On This Day (8 Nov 1997) Leo's Dad pegs back the lads – but Quinny's return is the real story!

11/08/2024 01:00 AM

A 1-1 draw with Forest may not seem the most important game of Sunderland's recent history – but it marked the start of something very special.

Things hadn't gone as well as we'd hoped after relegation, and in our inaugural Stadium of Light season, we'd picked up just six wins from our opening 15 games, four from eight at our new home.

Peter Reid was under pressure, make no mistake about that. He'd been backed in the transfer market in the summer, and while he'd steadied the ship somewhat after the 'Nightmare at Elm Park', insipid draws at home to Swindon and Charlton – and a poor performance in an away draw at Stockport – had done little to lift the mood.

The performances of new signings Lee Clark and Kevin Phillips had provided some hope, and as we took on Dave Bassett's Nottingham Forest – who'd come down with us the previous season – there was another source of hope on our bench.

Although not many in the crowd of 33,160 would have seen it as such.

Niall Quinn's almost 18 months at the club to date had been something of a disaster. He'd been on the verge of taking what would have practically been early retirement in Malaysia before Peter Reid signed him to lead our Premiership attack.

That lasted a handful of games before he suffered a practically season-ending injury against Coventry. And while he'd started the season in the team after relegation – famously (and fittingly, as it turned out) scoring the Stadium of Light's first ever goal – he soon broke down again, and it looked like that was that.

We all know the story – retirement was on the cards and the paperwork had been filed with the PFA – but thankfully that wasn't the end of the story.

Quinn's last appearance at the Stadium of Light had seen him booed and heckled from the pitch after a poor, injury-hampered display against Norwich – the tipping point was him practically falling over when clean through on goal. But three months later, the mood was different – and Quinn's 84th-minute appearance from the bench was enthusiastically welcomed.

He entered the game with the scores level. Kevin Phillips had headed the lads into the lead early on past former Newcastle goalkeeper Dave Beasant. Just before the half hour mark, though Jon Olav Hjelde – Leo's dad – scoring a first-half equaliser after Michael Bridges missed a clearance completely from a corner.

It was an even contest with Sunderland living dangerously on numerous occasions, particularly in the first half, but there was no addition to the scoreline.

Quinn's appearance had limited impact – he won a great header to almost set up a tap in for Martin Smith – but his freedom of movement left the crowd with some hope. He seemed to move in a different way, less constrained, more freedom. There was a literal spring in his step, which allowed for some cautious optimism that the experienced striker might be able to offer something at last.

After the game, Quinny said:

It has been a really tough couple of months after the operation and with all of the endless gym work but I can tell you it was worth it if just for those five minutes.

There's nothing like running out and playing football again, and I thought it might not happen for a while.

I feel better than I have done since I came to the club. Bones had fused in my leg, which meant I couldn't jump properly, and I was going into games knowing I couldn't strike a ball properly because I couldn't fully extend the leg. If I had a chance, I was having to sidefoot it.

But now it looks as though the surgery has been a complete success and I'm striking the ball as cleanly as I ever have done.

His appearance against Forest was just his 19th in the season and a half he'd spent at the club, but it proved pivotal for the season and the club. Quinn's return to fitness probably saved Peter Reid his job, helped us get promoted and ultimately provided the foundation for the emotional pull that eventually saw him return as chairman.

As sliding doors moments go in Sunderland's history, this was a big one.