Ha'way back when: Gary Rowell recalls a stunning Sunderland derby day success 40 years on

There are very few dates that will stick in the mind of a Sunderland fan as much as February 24, 1979.
Gary Rowell netted a treble in this Sunderland successGary Rowell netted a treble in this Sunderland success
Gary Rowell netted a treble in this Sunderland success

For this date was one of those which made up for days - perhaps even years - of disappointment. A day which erased bad memories, replacing them with a truly refreshing sense of pride in Sunderland AFC.

And so too fans should have been proud - it’s not every day you beat your bitter rivals 4-1.

Coverage in association with John HoggCoverage in association with John Hogg
Coverage in association with John Hogg
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This particular derby day victory over Newcastle United owed much to a fine performance from club legend Gary Rowell, who netted a stunning hat-trick to seal victory over the Magpies.

It was a game dominated by the Wearsiders, who took the lead after just six minutes.

Jeff Clarke launched a long free-kick into the box, with Roweel latching onto Gordon Chisholm’s flick-on to beat ‘keeper Steve Hardwick to the ball to touch it into the net.

A second came after 25 minutes, courtesy of some individual brilliance from Rowell. He picked up Kevin Arnott’s fine through ball and delicately chipped the ball home.

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The deficit was halved shortly after the break, however, when Newcastle’s John Connolly powered home a header.

Any home of a comeback was extinguished when Rowell completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

The striker kept his cool to slot home from 12 yards - his composed finish defying his inner nerves.

“It was probably the most pressured penalty I ever took in my life when I think about it,” he said.

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“I knew if I missed they’d get a massive psychological boost and they could go on and at least draw the game, because psychology in football is everything.

“But I knew if I scored - more than it being a hat-trick penalty - I knew if I scored the game was over.”

And while that penalty sealed the result, some gloss was added when Wayne Entwistle added a fourth with 19 minutes to play.

That sealed a Sunderland win which - even 40 years on - lives strong in the memory of every Black Cats fan.