11 photos from Sunderland in 1966 - the year the World Cup came to Wearside

What a July that was. The World Cup came to the North East in 1966 and Sunderland was right in the heart of the action.

Flags, fans, queues for tickets. It all happened on Wearside as fans from Italy, Chile and the Soviet Union all came to town.

Thanks to Bill Hawkins, from Sunderland Antiquarian Society, we have 11 photos from that year of fantastic football.

Let’s re-live the memories.

5. Flags on the bridge

Italian supporters waving their flags on Wearmouth Bridge. Photo: Bill Hawkins. Photo: Bill Hawkins

There were plenty of souvenirs to buy. Photo: Bill Hawkins. Photo: Bill Hawkins

A World Cup Statue and ball at Walkers Jewellers in High Street West. Photo: Bill Hawkins. Photo: Bill Hawkins

Haircuts for the Russian team. Photo: Bill Hawkins. Photo: Bill Hawkins