Sunderland's class of 1973 FA Cup-winning team were reunited in 2013 at a special 40th anniversary dinner to remember one of the competition's most famous moments, writes Stuart Appleby.
It was a chance for Black Cats great Dennis Tueart to catch-up with old team-mates and re-live the club's finest hour at Wembley Stadium, which for many, many Wearsiders still lives long in the memory. And those memories will come flooding back once more this weekend.
Tueart, who played over 200 times for Sunderland between 1968 and 1974, watched his former team get drawn out of the hat to entertain Leeds United in The FA Cup Third Round - in what is a repeat of the celebrated Final all those years ago.
Sunderland v Leeds United
The FA Cup
Third Round Proper
1pm, Sunday 4 January 2015
Stadium Of Light
Winning club will receive £67,500
The nostalgic draw has given Sunderland fans and former England forward Tueart the chance to look back at the 1-0 giant-killing victory, courtesy of a goal from the late Ian Porterfield.
In an exclusive interview with TheFA.com, Tueart recalled the incredible triumph.
He said: “I still think it was an iconic performance because Leeds were without question the best team in the UK and one of the best in Europe at that time.
“We were playing in the Second Division and they were The FA Cup holders playing in the First Division."
Tueart believes the team's inspired nine-match (with replays) run through to lifting The Cup, which included memorable scalps over Manchester City and Arsenal, is still a treasured memory for Sunderland supporters.
He added: "I'm always a great believer in that The Cup can lift confidence.
“When we had our 40th anniversary gala dinner, the football club were fantastic and helped us organise the sell-out event. That shows you how much that Cup run and success is still in the minds of Sunderland followers.
"The FA Cup was the prime competition in Europe and the games were televised across the globe. It was a major cup competition recognised by every European country.
"It was one of my best days in football. It makes you realise that you can play at the highest level."
Sunderland's FA Cup side featured as many as six academy graduates and no players capped at international level.
However, that did change after that Cup Final win as seven of the heroic team went on to gain international recognition in some form, with former Manchester City star Tueart netting twice in six outings for England.
“The FA Cup without question is a major competition to win”
Dennis Tueart
The upset, without a doubt, goes down as one of the competition's biggest shocks and remains Sunderland's only major trophy since the Second World War.
But, as Tueart remembers, for Sunderland and the club's fans, the lack of glory in recent years heightens the achievement of '73.
The 65-year-old said: "We didn't get back to Sunderland until Tuesday, after The Cup Final on Saturday. We had to go and play Cardiff City on the Monday because we were so far behind in our fixtures.
"But when we did make our way back to the city there were people on motorway bridges just waiting to have a quick wave. I mean we were travelling at 65mph, it was literally like the blink of an eye when we went past. I was sat at the front of the bus with The Cup.
"You could see the people standing on each corner when you were approaching a bridge. People must have seen us for one or two seconds when we went past.
"When we got to Roker Park people had already been waiting there for hours. There was 50,000 people in the ground and thousands of more people in the streets to welcome us home."
Despite Sunderland's struggles to avoid relegation this season, Tueart is confident Gus Poyet's men can get their season going with another Cup run, much like the Black Cats did last term when they reached the League Cup final.
Tueart said: "I think Sunderland will win on Sunday. I think in the circumstances it is about Gus building some momentum and getting some confidence with a cup run. That's critical.
"The FA Cup is where dreams can be realised without major financial spending. I think we spent £30,000 on three players in our '73 side. Everybody still looks to Wembley - it has an appeal around the world.
“It's a great stadium and The FA Cup without question is a major competition to win. Any footballer worth his salt will want to tread the hallowed turf."
