Where Sunderland’s 1990 St James’ Park heroes are now ahead of Newcastle United clash | OneFootball

Sunderland visit Newcastle United this weekend aiming to mark their Premier League return with a Tyne-Wear derby double. They are unbeaten in their last five trips to St James’ Park, three wins and two draws since 2012.

Sunderland Echo notes they are likely to wear a 1990-inspired blue away strip on Sunday, recalling the second-tier play-off semi-final second leg win on Tyneside. Eric Gates and Marco Gabbiadini struck to seal a 2-0 aggregate and a Wembley date, before Swindon’s demotion handed Denis Smith’s side promotion.

Goalkeeper Tony Norman made 227 Sunderland appearances, became a Durham police officer and later coached at Darlington 1883, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans. Full-back John Kay, a cult favourite, left in 1996, and later worked on a Derwentside Council project supporting people with drug addictions. Paul Bracewell’s three spells totalled 270 games, he later managed Fulham and Halifax and coached at Sunderland and Tottenham.

Gary Bennett made 443 appearances, later played for Carlisle, Scarborough and Darlington, and now summarises Sunderland games on BBC Radio Newcastle after long service to anti-racism work that earned an MBE in 2022. Former captain John MacPhail led two promotions, later managed Hartlepool, and continues to receive care after a life-changing fall in 2021.

Match-winner Eric Gates finished with 55 goals in 220 Sunderland games before joining Carlisle in 1990, later co-hosting the Three Legends phone-in. Marco Gabbiadini scored 87 in 185, moved on in 1991, built businesses and remains a regular on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport.

Source: Sunderland Echo