Where Sunderland’s 1990 St James’ Park heroes are now, ahead of Tyne-Wear derby | OneFootball

Sunderland visit Newcastle United this weekend aiming to mark their Premier League return with a Tyne-Wear derby double. Sunderland Echo looks back at the 1990 heroes.

Sunderland are likely to wear a 1990-inspired blue away strip, recalling the play-off when Eric Gates and Marco Gabbiadini sealed a 2-0 aggregate victory. Promotion followed after Swindon were punished for financial irregularities.

Goalkeeper Tony Norman later joined Huddersfield, then became a Durham police officer and goalkeeping coach. John Kay played on with spells before working on a Derwentside Council project supporting people with drug addictions. Reuben Agboola, twice capped by Nigeria, later ran bars and is now a car sales ambassador in Eastleigh.

Paul Bracewell managed Fulham and Halifax, returned to coach Sunderland and later worked in Tottenham’s academy before leaving last year. Gary Bennett later managed Darlington, fronts Show Racism the Red Card, received an MBE in 2022 and is a BBC Radio Newcastle summariser. John MacPhail managed Hartlepool and continues to receive care after a 2021 brain injury.

Gary Owers moved into coaching, scouting and development roles and is now the National League’s head of player development and a BBC Radio Bristol summariser. Gordon Armstrong became a scout then an agent, his most famous Sunderland goal a late FA Cup quarter-final winner against Chelsea in 1992.

Eric Gates later joined Carlisle and worked on Metro and Century radio’s Three Legends. Marco Gabbiadini is a BBC Radio Newcastle pundit. Warren Hawke became Morton chief executive and now runs a sports consultancy.

Source: Sunderland Echo