From Sunderland to St James’ Park: Five Metro stops rich in Tyne-Wear derby history | OneFootball

The Tyne and Wear Metro has long both joined and divided Sunderland and Newcastle. It opened in 1980, reached Sunderland in 2002, and, as Sunderland Echo notes, with around 2,500 away fans travelling on Sunday, many will take it to St James’ Park.

First is Sunderland station, in a city that has produced Jordan Henderson, Jordan Pickford and Micky Gray, and where homegrown great Jimmy Montgomery played 15 league derbies, including a 3-0 win at St James’ in October 1967.

Two stops on sits Stadium of Light. That ground has staged Kieran Richardson’s thunderbolt and Nick Woltemade’s own goal, yet the defining moment of 29 years there is Jermain Defoe’s Easter volley in the 1-0 win in 2015.

Towards Tyneside, Heworth occupies a quirky place. Chris Waddle was born there and played 170 times for Newcastle, yet he grew up supporting Sunderland and made his derby debut for them at St James’ Park, 12 years after leaving Tyneside for Tottenham.

Three stations later comes Gateshead, the last stop before the Tyne. Gateshead-born Don Hutchison, raised a Newcastle fan, ignited a stirring Sunderland comeback and their first Tyne-Wear derby win of this century.

Finally, St James’ evokes April 2013. After seven winless visits since November 2000, with Sunderland 17th and Paolo Di Canio’s appointment causing controversy, Stephane Sessegnon struck before half-time, Adam Johnson doubled it, then Di Canio slid on his knees towards the away end as “Six in a Row” began.

Source: Sunderland Echo