There aren’t many seasons in Sunderland AFC’s history that don’t involve some sort of drama towards the end of a campaign, whether that be at the top end of whatever league we happen to be competing in, or at the ‘wrong’ end of the table.
The 1980–81 season was no different, and it took a fantastic last-day win away to Liverpool with a Stan Cummins strike to give us last-day survival at Anfield. Before that nail-biting result, we had only won 3 of our last 10 games, with no draws, to put us in that precarious position. One of those 3 wins came on 21 March 1981 at home to our good friends Coventry City, all of 45 years ago.
As with this current season, it was our first one back in the top flight, and it had started in a positive fashion. We were 8th in mid-October, after being in the top 5 until the end of September, but the slide continued, and by the middle of November had slipped into the bottom half of the table.
When tension rears its ugly head, clashes ensue, and manager Ken Knighton was shown the door in the new year by the then chairman Tom Cowie. Mick Docherty was put in caretaker charge.
The Lads found some of their early season form at just the right time, with back-to-back wins. Firstly beating Crystal Palace away, then a welcome 3–0 win over Coventry.
Big defender Joe Hinnigan was certainly enjoying himself in this period; he scored 2 against the Sky Blues, making it 4 goals in 3 games, when he had previously not scored in more than a year since he’d signed for the club. It was a hard-fought first half, where the lads had to fight for every ball – but Hinnigan settled some nerves not long before half-time, with his first strike. But there were several tense moments to see out the half, with some brave stops by keeper Barry Siddall and the defence.
On 52 minutes, Palace’s Thomas obviously pulled down Buckley in the area, and referee Alan Banks awarded a spot kick. Stan Cummins stepped up to score his 9th goal of the season. This saw Coventry crumble, and Sunderland could have scored a hatful more, but for some poor finishing. In fact Coventry’s best chance in the second half came when their winger Blair put in a cross, and in endeavouring to clear it, that man Hinnigan again only succeeded in volleying it towards his own goal. A quick reflex save from Siddall spared his blushes.
On 85 minutes, their keeper Sealey was left stranded again, as Hinnigan blasted home from 12 yards after a partially cleared Kevin Arnott corner. Any threat Coventry carried was totally squashed after Little Stan’s penalty, and their goal was peppered for much of the second half. Coventry looked a desperate side, and would eventually only finish 1 point and one place ahead of us at the end of the season. Despite Big Joe’s goals, it was Mick Buckley who received a lot of plaudits, with his tireless running and energy. Siddall and Cummins were also praised for their input.
> Sunderland 3–0 Coventry City | Hinnigan 2, Cummins (pen) | Att: 20,622
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> Sunderland: Barry Siddall; Joe Hinnigan, Joe Bolton, Sean Elliott; Rob Hindmarch, Mick Buckley, Kevin Arnott, Gordon Chisholm, Tom Ritchie, John Cooke, Stan Cummins. Sub: Gary Rowell.
That particular season as a whole wasn’t actually dire by any means. They scored more goals than 8th-placed Manchester United, whilst only two teams outside the top five conceded fewer goals at home. On the road, only one side outside the top nine had a better defence.
The 1980/81 season has one or two personal stand-out memories for me. Apart from the last-gasp win at Anfield, where I remember being glued to my radio listening for the latest updates, there was that absolutely wonder goal by John Hawley from 40 yards against Arsenal to win 2–0 just before Christmas. I was in the Fulwell End, and was right behind his never-to-be-forgotten strike – in my top 3 Sunderland goals of all time. The other memorable thing about that season was the signing of a certain Mr Sam Allardyce for £150,000 from Bolton. He doesn’t get many mentions for his Sunderland playing career, but as a young lad just starting his first proper job, I remember visiting my dad and telling him all about this barn door of a defender that wouldn’t let anything pass. Our paths would cross again with Mr Allardyce in a different guise.
45 years ago… we still have our heroes, we are still fighting to re-establish ourselves in the top division, and we still like to put one over Coventry!