On this day; May 12, 1997, the 99-year history of one of England’s most famous grounds came to an end. After one final game, a post-season friendly against Liverpool, the team who played Sunderland to open the ground, Roker Park shut its doors for the final time. 23 years ago today, fans, former players and managers paid their last respects to a ground so many of them called home. On an emotional night on Wearside, fans said goodbye to a place that had given them so many memories.
On This Day: The Last Ever Game at Roker Park
Pre Game
Before the game, there were plenty of memories for fans to look back on. Local children did a lap of the pitch as they wore the tops of every team to have played at Roker. Sunderland legends were introduced to the fans in attendance. The likes of cup winning captain Bobby Kerr, Player of the Century Charlie Hurley and manager of the 1973 FA cup winning team Bob Stokoe amongst many others. Stokoe summed up the feelings of everyone when he said: “There’ll never be anywhere like Roker Park”
The Final Match
As the two teams emerged from the tunnel one last time, and at kickoff, the famous Roker Roar echoed around the ground. There was a full house at Roker Park for the game, a game which came just a short time after relegation from the Premier League had been confirmed. However, that would be forgotten, as the evening was all about memories and giving the ground the best send-off possible.
When Sunderland faced Liverpool 99 years prior to this game to open Roker Park, the home side gave their new home a winning start, triumphing 1-0. Could they give Roker a fitting send-off? Thankfully they did. A first-half strike from forward John Mullin was enough to win the game for the home side and to fittingly mirror the scoreline from the very first game. The game was almost a sideshow, as this was all about the ground and what it meant to fans, players, staff and anyone who was and had been associated with the club. The fans went through their repertoire of songs for the last time before moving and gave the ground and the team an ovation fit for the occasion.
The End at Roker Park
After the final whistle, Charlie Hurley, the former defender who was voted the club’s Player of the Century, dug up the centre spot so it could be planted at the new ground, The Stadium of Light. Many fans were reluctant to leave the ground where they had spent so much time watching their heroes. Many stood in the same spot they had for many years for one last time. When they did eventually leave, they did with a heavy heart and a tear in their eye. It was an emotional night, one which will live forever.
Main Photo
