What’s your highlight from the Roker Park years?
IT WAS DEMOLISHED 20 YEARS AGO AFTER NEARLY 100 YEARS OF MEMORIES ... BUT WHICH WAS YOUR BEST MOMENT FROM THE DECADES OF ACTION AT SUNDERLAND’S OLD GROUND
As another season of football approaches its end, we looked back on one of the most significant in Sunderland’s recent history.
It is 21 years ago when Roker Park closed and we posted a photograph on social media, showing fans packed into the ground next to a giant poster.
On the pitch, Sunderland were to enjoy a 3-0 win over Everton in the last competitive game at the ground during their first ever season in the Premier League.
On a sadder note, the team was relegated that season, and Sunderland were soon to move to the Stadium of Light.
Roker Park, a stadium which had hosted World Cup matches in 1966 was about to be demolished to make way for housing.
Nearly 16,000 people were reached in our social media post and they included Ronny Hall who remembered the “back of the Fulwell End !!!”.
Colin Appleby remembered that the last match was against Everton while Stew Mitchell said he “loved the place”.
We asked if anyone remembered that final game at Roker Park and Stuart Wilson said: “Yup, I was there. I still miss that kind of atmosphere, especially standing at evening matches.”
Others who liked the post included Mark Fowler, George Dodda Bell, Jason Mcintyre, Mike Ellis, Derrick Copeland, Stewart Graham and Sharon Cairns.
David Yorke, Alan Nichols, Ciaran Frost, Derek Cheal, Brian Hamilton, Simon Guthrie and John Greener also took a look. So did Stephen Kyle, Andrew Carruthers, Gayle Ridley, John Down, Billy Robinson, Colin Douthwaite, Andrew Warner and Lewis Connolly and our thanks go
to them all.
What are your best memories of Roker Park and which game was your favourite? Who was the best player to grace the turf over the years?
Send your recollections to chris.cordner@jpress.co.uk