Roker Park Review – a look back at some of the best games played there

Roker Park was one of the iconic football grounds in English football, and it was the home of Sunderland until 1997.

Roker Park closed its doors 23 years ago, ahead of the Black Cats’ move to the Stadium of Light, before being demolished in 1998.

For 99 years, Sunderland played at Roker Park, so what are the best games or memories of the ground from Sunderland supporters?

Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United – First Division, 1990

Following their promotion to the First Division, Sunderland took on FA Cup holders Manchester United in their second home game of the campaign. United’s side was full of talent, with players such as Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and their captain Steve Bruce.

2-1 win over Man Utd in 1990. They were the cup holders and it was the first time I'd seen us play in the top division! Gary Bennett scored 90th minute winner, don't think I've ever cheered so much!

— lee wheatley (@lee_wheatley) May 4, 2020

Coming off the back of a goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils would prove a stern test for the recently promoted Black Cats.

In the 23^rd minute Gary Owers headed home from a Peter Davenport cross, to send the home fans into delirium.

United levelled in the 70^th minute, when Brian McClair’s header found the back of the net, much to the disappointment of the Sunderland fans.

With time running out, Sunderland captain Gary Bennett had other ideas, as he flicked the ball over the head of Gary Pallister before placing his effort into the bottom corner to secure the Black Cats’ first home win of the season.

Sunderland 3-1 Manchester City – FA Cup 5^th Round Replay, 1973

The year 1973 is known by all Sunderland fans as the year they won the FA Cup, against Leeds United at Wembley.

Has to be V Man City in 73 cup run. We bombed them.

— kevin defty (@kevindefty1) May 4, 2020

Voted by fans as match of the century in 1997, the Black Cats faced Manchester City in the fifth round on their way to the final.

After drawing 2-2 at Maine Road, the cup favourites travelled to Roker Park to take on Sunderland.

Vic Halom gave Sunderland the lead with a fantastic strike, before Billy Hughes doubled the hosts’ advantage just before half-time.

Colin Bell pulled a goal back for the visitors before Hughes added his second of the match to secure the Black Cats place in the quarter final.

Sunderland 2-0 West Ham United – Second Division, 1980

Two days after West Ham had won the FA Cup, they travelled to Roker Park to take on Sunderland in the final game of the season.

West Ham 2-0 to win promotion after they had just won the fa cup and thought they just had to be there to win over 47000 there what a time to be alive

— jacko (@jacko03285205) May 4, 2020

Knowing a point against the Hammers would be enough to see Sunderland promoted, they ended their season in style, with a 2-0 triumph to secure promotion.

Backed by a crowd of around 47,000, Sunderland took the lead when Kevin Arnott swept home to set the Black Cats on their way to promotion.

Stan Cummins doubled Sunderland’s lead 20 minutes from time to seal promotion to the First Division in front of a packed out home crowd.

Roker Park was a staple of iconic football stadiums in the 20^th century, before its demolition in 1998. Many of Sunderland’s best memories were at Roker Park, and it will be seen as one of the best stadiums that Sunderland have ever had.

Honestly? It was just walking through the turnstiles on any night game, to see the floodlit pitch, and smelling the pints and tabs. For some reason that was comforting and reassuring to me.

— Anthony Gair (@RoGairReport) May 5, 2020

Many of the older generation of Sunderland supporters grew up watching Sunderland at Roker Park, which is what some of the younger generation could have only dreamed. However, as we move through more modern times, the Stadium of Light has become a fantastic place for Sunderland to build more memories.