When Sunderland were applauded at the home of Newcastle United
wouldn’t draw a gate, even for a derby match,” explained Ollie.
“So Joe Harvey and I went to to see Bayern Munich. They wanted £15,000, which was big money in those days and would have crippled me. So I sheepishly went back to Stokoe and asked if he would bring Sunderland.
“Next thing I knew they went on a terrific FA Cup run and I ended up at Wembley with Gavin Westwood, the son of our chairman Lord Westwood, sitting in the best seats in the house as Sunderland completed the fairy tale by beating Leeds United.
“I was a Newcastle United man but I was cheering like hell!”
The first thing Sunderland did on their triumphant return was bring the Cup to St James’ Park to play a derby match.
“The attendance topped 40,000 but I never found out the exact figure,” recalled Burton. “United had just installed electric turnstiles in 1973 and they broke down two hours before kick-off.
“But it was a terrific night. I chucked the Cup in the boot of my car afterwards and we all went to La Dolce Vita nightclub for a party!”
For the record, a healthy crowd of 35,873 - including yours truly as a schoolboy fan - turned up that evening, Monday, May 14, 1973. And no, I didn’t applaud United’s opponents.
Tommy Cassidy and John Tudor gave the Magpies a 2-0 lead, before former United full-back, Ron Guthrie, returning to his old stomping ground pulled back a late consolation goal for Sunderland.
In the years after football, Ollie Burton ran a catering business. These days, the one-time Welsh international who turns 77 later this year, lives quietly in retirement in East Anglia.
We wish him well.