 Moving stadiums is of course a rare occasion with the vast
majority of football clubs and the last game is often a treasured affair, that
is prominent in the fan’s memories for some time to come. Sunderland’s
permanent exodus from Roker Park beckoning in the summer of 1997, of course
meant a final match, which as it happens occurred fifteen years this week, on 3
May 1997.
Although the game to
Everton held massive sentimental importance, arguably even more was riding on
the game in terms of the clubs future, with points vital in the penultimate
game of the season needed to give Sunderland the advantage in the relegation
battle going into the final day away at Wimbledon. With Fans surely mourning
the loss of Roker Park for at least a moment or two, the last thing they wanted
was the addition of mourning their Premier League status. With Division 1
football a possibility with the up and coming 42,000 seater stadium, staying in
the top tier had never been more important. The future Stadium of Light being
dubbed as a potential ‘white Elephant’, if Sunderland were to be playing in the
Nationwide leagues in the third biggest club stadium in England. The final opponents
of the ninety nine year stay at Roker Park would not be rollovers, as Everton
still were in a precarious situation at the bottom end of the table themselves.
A bouncing atmosphere seemed to have rattled the Evertonians after a cagey
first half on an occasion that they would have seldom experienced before.
Duncan Ferguson bizzarely punched the ball out of his own box, and Paul Stewart
converted the subsequent spot kick, to ease Sunderland’s worries going into the
break 1-0 up. The nerves were
still lingering around the expiring Roker Park, but just before the hour mark
they, the tension decreased as Waddle converted his free kick for his first
goal in Sunderland colours. He was again involved in Sunderland’s final goal
crossing for Allan Johnston to rustle the Roker Park net for the final time in
a competitive game. The points were all but assured, and the fan’s attention
could now turn to pondering on the recollections of the soon to be demolished
stadium and soak in what they could before their final farewells. The old depleted
ground had held some of the club’s fondest memories including; many league
championship’s won, witnessing talents like Len Shackleton and Brian Clough, FA
Cup quarter final 1973 among many more. However, the painful memories were
probably more memorable to modern fans of the time, as they had experienced
little else.
Similar to the mix
of emotions felt by Sunderland fans watching their beloved team, was the
feeling towards the departure from Roker. Despite being the abode of many
supporter’s hearts and hub of their treasured memories, the stadium was
becoming more and more run down, and something was needed to boost the club to
the next level in terms of stature, even if the team would be playing in the
familiar surroundings of the second tier after defeat at Selhurst Park
condemned Sunderland to (yet another) relegation. The move was a
success, and even in Division One, the attendances were very respectful. |
 |
|||||||||||||
 
CategoriesBanana Boy's AnticsBig Match Preview Connection Section Ex-pros Corner Famous Game Fanzone General football Good Cat/Bad Cat Grim's Blog Guest Columnists Ham's Blog Ham's Review In The Hotseat On The Road Outside Of Sunderland Pre Season 2011 Random SAFC Current Seventy3' Seventy3' pub quiz club Sidds on the ball Soccer Aid 2012 The Cat's Whiskers They said what? This Week On Wearside Top 5 |
|
 |
|||||||||||
    |
|||||||||||||
