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Sunderland and Ajax were the clubs to watch 35 years ago.
18
This afternoon's game is a vital part
of Sunderland's build up to a season
where the club is looking to take
another step forward in establishing
itself as a solid member of the Barclays
Premier League. The visit of Ajax is also
a celebration of the past with the game
being in tribute to the team of '73.
"The 1973 team gave our club one of
its finest moments, so we're delighted
to mark their anniversary celebrations
with what will be a showpiece game
at the Stadium of Light" says chairman
Niall Quinn. "This game will be a
fantastic culmination of the year-long
celebrations of the 1973 triumph and
we are delighted that a sizeable part
of the proceeds will be presented to
Dennis, Monty, Mickey and all the lads."
Celebrations of the 35th anniversary
of the greatest day in Sunderland's post
WW2 history have been ongoing with a
gala dinner in May one of the highlights
of the commemorations. Many of the
team of '73 still live locally and of course
back in their day players didn't earn
the kind of financial rewards from the
game that the modern footballer enjoys.
Indeed at the time it wasn't much more
than a decade since the abolition of the
maximum wage! "In the modern game
the player holds the economic power
but let's not forget this wasn't the case
in 1973" says Niall, "so for us to be able
to recognise and support those players
who gave so much enjoyment and
pride to Sunderland fans is fantastic."
As Sunderland were defeating Leeds
at Wembley in '73 Ajax were limbering
up for the European Cup final later the
same month. Their golden age of Johan
Cruyff, Ruud Krol, Johan Neeskens, Arie
Haan and Johnny Rep produced a team
of sheer brilliance renowned for its Total
Football.' A Juventus side that included
Fabio Capello and German international
Helmut Haller (the man who kept the
ball after the 1966 World Cup final and
a sub here) were beaten 1-0 in Belgrade
thanks to an early goal from Johnny
Rep, a player Sunderland fans may
remember for later helping Bastia knock
Newcastle out of the UEFA Cup. Ajax at
this time were undoubtedly the world's
best, their European Cup win of 1973
meant they'd won the trophy three years
running and so were allowed to keep it.
Moreover Ajax provided the foundation
for the Netherlands team that reached
the World Cup final in 1974 and 1978.
"Ajax is one of the biggest clubs in
the world - their domestic and European
record is there to be admired - while they
also boast one of the best worldwide
reputations for producing top, young
players. They last played here to officially
open the Stadium of Light 11 years ago
and we're delighted to welcome our Dutch
friends back to Wearside" says Niall who
played on Ajax's last vis4«^hich came a
year after they'd been Champions League
finalists agai.n against Juve who this
time had come .out on top on penalties,
a year after Ajax had been crowned
Champions of Europe for a fourth time.
Last season Ajax were runners up
in the Dutch top flight the Eredivisie to
PSV and clearly will provide Sunderland
with a high calibre challenge as the lads
limber up to face another club with
massive European Cup winning pedigree
on the opening weekend of the season
when Liverpool arrive on Wearside a
week on Saturday. Roy Keane sees it
as a very important part of the team's f|
preparations: "It's giearTc have top
opposition lined up for our pre-season
calendar. It will be an important game for
us and our preparations for the Premier
League season, but it should aljso bè
a top game for what is an important
anniversary for this football club."
In welcoming our friends from Ajax
to the Stadium of Light once again
we pay tribute to Sunderland's 1973
FA Cup winning skipper Bobby Kerr
and his legendary team mates whose
contribution to SAFC is indelible.
ROB MASON
