The year 1996 was an optimistic one for Sunderland. After previously having faced a struggle for survival in the second tier, Peter Reid’s leadership miraculously transformed the club’s fortunes and seized promotion just one year later. For the first time ever, the black cats would be competing in the Premier League, the new first tier of English football which had been formed just four years previously and became a bonanza of big money.
But not only that, construction was also now underway on a new home for SAFC. After nearly a century at the aging Roker Park, fans relished the prospect of moving to what would be a new all 42,000 seater stadium at Monkwearmouth. As a result, promotion that year was met with euphoria and was celebrated with an open top bus parade through the city.
But in addition to that, a group of fans pulled off an enormous stunt which involved hiring one of the Tyne Ferries between North Shields and South Shields and hosting a promotion celebration on it, sailing it up the river towards Newcastle with a huge “FTM” banner on it. During this time, Newcastle were flying high under Kevin Keegan had previously squandered a 12 point led for the title to Manchester United that same season, so what better opportunity was there to taunt them?
Do you recognise anyone from this photo?