Runners up to Arsenal the season before, it was the Gunners that beat Sunderland in the first game of the 1935-36 campaign, but things quickly picked up with a win at West Bromwich Albion and now it was time for the first Roker date – with home form about to prove vital over the coming months.
This time it was Sunderland that finished up champions and their title success was based primarily on a superb Wearside record, with Johnny Cochrane’s side winning 17 out of 21 league games. It all started with a match against Manchester City, who themselves had been in the championship reckoning during 1934-35, yet the visitors knew it was likely to be a difficult trip for them irregardless of their own strengths and arrived hoping to unsettle the Lads’ home advantage.
Roker Park had been something of a fortress for a couple of seasons already so when City won the toss they opted to change the hosts’ usual routine of the time and have them defend the Fulwell End in the first half. It made little difference though because Sunderland looked extremely comfortable from the off, making the most of the pleasant conditions to play an attractive passing style.
Although there were a couple of early openings, City did try to build some momentum of their own too – but when they did make their way towards goal, they invariably found Jimmy Thorpe to be in command. The pace remained high though and the breakthrough seemed to come when following a scramble, the ball was bundled into the away team’s net ten minutes before half time, but a handball decision was given against Sunderland instead, and they were forced to wait a short while longer.
Frank Swift holds on. Image. from the Football Echo 7 Sept. 1935.
The delay proved inconsequential however as by the time the first half had ended the Black Cats had legitimately put themselves ahead. Pleasingly, the goal came via a much more fluid move too, with a clever left-wing attack leading to Patsy Gallacher chesting the ball down and shooting at Frank Swift, only for the attempt to deflect off Jackie Bray and produce an unfortunate own goal. The advantage then seemed as if it was going to be extended early in the second half when Bobby Gurney was fouled in the area by South Sheilds native Sam Barkas, but Bert Davis’ spot kick was repelled by Swift and the Lads had to once again wait a couple moments more before they struck another.
Gurney had been forced to leave the pitch following being fouled so that he could receive some treatment but once patched up he was quickly back in the action, heading a freekick goalwards and watching it roll over the line after Swift had got a partial hand to it. The incident appeared to knock the stuffing out of Wilf Wild’s side and they struggled thereafter, with Gurney twice going close to extending the lead and Raich Carter firing inches over the bar as well.
Still, 2-0 was a convincing enough scoreline and one that most observers felt was fair given the way things had panned out. Swift was by far the busier of the two keepers so was given a hearty round of applause as he headed for the grandstand changing rooms at full time, and upon inspection a recently laid new pitch seemed as if it had stood up well to the rigours of top end action.
To emphasise the point that form on home soil was going to be crucial Sunderland then quickly doubled up with a midweek victory over the Baggies, and by the time of a 5-4 Roker win over the reigning champions in December Cochrane and co were riding high in top spot. What’s more, they maintained their position until the end of the campaign – although somewhat ironically, the Championship was mathematically confirmed on the road at Birmingham.
Saturday 7 September 1935
Football League Division One
Sunderland 2
Manchester City 0
Sunderland: Thorpe; Murray, Hall; Thomson, Clarke, Hastings; Davis, Carter, Gurney, Gallacher, Connor.
Roker Park, attendance 38,224
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