I'm astounded at this true story of the day Sunderland wore Newcastle's strips in the FA Cup
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Can you believe it! Sunderland played three FA Cup matches in Newcastle United’s strips.
It happened in the 1950s and Philip Curtis from Sunderland Antiquarian Society has shared the tale with us.
“It seems ridiculous, when one considers the rivalry today between Sunderland and Newcastle Utd football clubs, especially at fan level.
‘Sunderland actually turned out in the strips of the Magpies’
In the 1950s there were three matches played when Sunderland actually turned out in the strips of the Magpies.
The first was a 4th round FA Cup tie played at Roker Park in January 1951 against Southampton.
As both teams normally played in red and white stripes, the FA instructed both clubs that they must change but the second strips of both clubs was white.
Southampton borrowed amber ones from their local Hampshire Regiment while Sunderland got theirs from Newcastle United.
Sunderland won 2-0 in front of 61,000 fans
Little advance news was given but amazingly, there was no real reaction from the fans when the two teams ran out.
The second occasion was in February 1956 when Sunderland played away at Sheffield United in the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Like 1951, both teams usually played in red and white stripes so it was agreed that both teams would change. The Blades appeared in Barnsley’s then change strip of blue while Sunderland borrow the Newcastle kit again.
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The Mags had won the Cup in 1951, 1952 and 1955 and someone at Sunderland felt the strips might bring them good luck.
The change was reported in the Sunderland Echo.
‘A few Sunderland fans were considering buying black and white scarves’
Indeed, the Echo reported that there were a few Sunderland fans who were considering buying black and white scarves to wear at the game.
Nearly 9,000 Sunderland fans travelled to Sheffield where the game was played in two inches of snow. It finished 0-0 and Sunderland ran out in black and white again in the Roker Park replay where SAFC won 1-0 with a Ray Daniel goal.
Then came the 6th round draw and Sunderland were drawn with .... Newcastle!
And because both teams played in stripes, it was agreed that both would change. This time, Newcastle turned out in white strips while Sunderland played in the colours of Arsenal. Sunderland won 2-0.
Find out more about the Antiquarian Society
Sunderland reached the semi-final where they lost to Birmingham (where both teams played in their normal colours.
Our thanks go to Philip and Sunderland Antiquarian Society.
The story is one of many great articles in the latest Society newsletter which is sent out to members.
You can find out more about the Antiquarian Society by getting along to its Heritage Centre which is open in Douro Terrace on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12pm.
You can also visit the Antiquarian Society’s Facebook page or its website which is at http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org
And to become a member, email [email protected]
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