‘Best manager in my lifetime’ - Sunderland fans recall favourite memories of Peter Reid’s spell which began on this day in 1995

From a record points tally in Division One, to a near miss of European qualification - Reid is seen as one of the most successful Sunderland managers in the modern era.

That comes to no surprise with a 45% win percentage during his time at the Stadium of Light but it wasn’t just the wins that made him such a legend.

He managed to stabilize the club in the Premier League as well as signing club legends like Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips.

Fans have been reminiscing over some of the most memorable games while Reid was in charge with mentions of THAT 4-1 win over Chelsea.

A brace from Phillips and Quinn in a relentless first-half flurry that included a dipping half-volley from Phillips settled a thumping win for the Black Cats.

One fan on Twitter @ZakWaters recalls a memory from Sunderland’s time in Division One: ‘I remember the Reading game where we got thumped 4-0. Then we went on a rampage only being beaten a few times in 2 years. Happy days.’

@Dukeyce posted, ‘Away end at OT (Old Trafford) in FA Cup before kick-off - just swaggered down to our end, hands in suit pocket like he owned the place - gave us our pride back after some very lean years’.

After that game the club only lost six league fixtures in two years, with their record-breaking points tally in Division One coming in the second year with a mammoth 105 points.

On Facebook Malcolm Hewitt spoke about the feel good factor around home games: ‘Every time you went to the SOL you felt that you would win, whoever it was.’

One memorable fixture in Sunderland’s first seventh placed finish in England’s top-flight was the 2-1 victory at St. James’s Park in the first Tyne-Wear derby of the season.

Newcastle took the lead through a first-half strike from Kieron Dyer before Niall Quinn equalised in the second-half prior to a Phillips’ chip, which sealed an historic comeback.

The memories of Reid will be forever in the clubs’ and fans' hearts, as fan Phil Welsh described his tenure at the Black Cats as ‘undoubtedly the best times in my 58 years of following SAFC (obviously along with the 73 cup run)’.

Other fans followed suit with their positive nostalgia, Ian Taggart said on Facebook, ‘my happiest memories as a Sunderland fan were when Peter Reid was our manager.’

However, Reid wasn’t just recognised for his success in the North East but also his welcoming personality as Peter Russell recites one of his fond memories while the 64-year old was in charge: ‘My son was mascot at Derby County in December 1995. Reidy took time to welcome him and talk to him in the changing room before the match. Couldn’t have been nicer.’

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