Give us your memories of local league football in 1970s Sunderland

The Tyne and Wear League was the place to be if you wanted close-fought encounters on the pitches of Sunderland.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Sep 2016, 10:00 BST
Jolly Sailor attack but Doxfords keeper David Bruce is well positioned.Jolly Sailor attack but Doxfords keeper David Bruce is well positioned.
Jolly Sailor attack but Doxfords keeper David Bruce is well positioned.

Sunderland Forge, Bartrams, Pallion, Doxfords and the Jolly Sailor were among the popular sides and we take a fond look back with a question ... were you part of the set-up and what are your memories of 1970s football on Wearside.

Chris Cordner reports.

The Doxfords squad.The Doxfords squad.
The Doxfords squad.

There was APB, East One, SEECO United, Chester Greenbank, Weardale House, Wearford and East Boldon.

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There was Churchill, Waldridge Fell, NT Police, Tyne Bridge Tower, PWD and Inter Paints.

Sunderland Albion and Roker Hotel and possibly more? Tell us of all the teams which made up the league.

The year was 1978 and it was only five years on from Sunderland winning the FA Cup. The Black Cats were standing in mid-table in the Second Division that September - although they would rally to fight for promotion as the months passed.

The Jolly Sailor team.The Jolly Sailor team.
The Jolly Sailor team.

More lcoally, the competition was just as intense in the Tyne and Wear League and those were the days when the Echo would feature a match a week.

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That week, it was the turn of Jolly Sailor to host Doxfords EW.

Doxfords were fresh off a winning streak and their latest success was a 7-3 trimph over APB with Chris Turnbull in fine form. A brace took his early season tally to five going into the match.

But Jolly Sailor were not to be taken lightly and led 1-0 at half time. Doxfords eventually managed goals from centre half Micky Campbell and Russel Shaw but it was Jolly Sailor who came out on top with goals from Keith Boreham with two, and Kevin Berry.

Were you part of Sunderland’s amateur scene those days and what are your memories.

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