A car for a £145 deposit, a tot of spirits for 15 pence and a ticket to the pictures for 54 pence. That’s what life was like the last time Sunderland played in Europe.
Look how much things have changed since SAFC took on Vasas Budapest in 1973 in the European Cup Winners Cup. You could get a jacket from Sgt Peppers for £6.50 and a suede handbag from Binns for £3.50.
You could watch the footy on the black and white TV you had just hired from Radio Rentals for £2.50 a month. It even had the latest in push button technology for you to change the channels.
And if you fancied something to eat, crackers were 14 pence, or you could buy a 4-pack of Rolos for 23 pence.
Tell us what you remember about Wearside life in 1973 and what you remember buying at the time.
Where did you go shopping for the weekly food and which pubs, clubs or restaurants did you prefer? Tell us all about 1973 life in Sunderland by emailing [email protected]
5. 54 pence in the stalls at the ABC
Glenda Jackson and Peter Finch were starring in Bequest To The Nation at the ABC Sunderland. Seats in the stalls from 54 pence. Standard cinema tickets now start at about £9.95.
6. £2.08 for a wallpaper paste table
Hunters store in Union Street had all sorts of great deals in 1973 including paste tables for £2.08. A 2026 paste table would set you back £16.99. | se
7. 20-inch TV for £2.50 a month
Radio Rentals in the Market Square was the place to go for a 20-inch tube black and white TV with 'all the latest push button tuning'. You could have it installed for £2.50 which was one month's advanced rental charge. You can still get rental today at an estimated £6.99 a week for a 50-inch smart TV from some companies. | se
8. 40 pence to get into Locarno
A night of dancing was planned at the Locarno on the Monday after the Cup final. It was 40 pence admission with live entertainment from the Wilf Ray Orchestra. Modern nightclubs of 2026 may charge around £5 for admission after midnight with reduced fees - or entry free of charge - before then.