Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney, Philip Craig
Phil Craig
Guest(s)
Release Date
4 May 2023
Duration
53 min
In this special anniversary episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by lifelong Sunderland fan Phil Craig to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of English football’s most iconic triumphs — Sunderland’s 1973 FA Cup victory.
The conversation dives deep into the heart of the story: a team written off from the start, a manager who built belief, and a group of players whose spirit would echo through generations. Under Bob Stokoe, Sunderland defied all odds on their journey to Wembley — toppling elite opponents, surviving a gruelling winter flu epidemic, and uniting a city behind them.
At the centre of it all was the unforgettable final against Don Revie’s Leeds United, the reigning English giants. Sunderland’s performance was defined by courage, teamwork, and two immortal moments — Ian Porterfield’s clinical strike and Jim Montgomery’s astonishing double save, now immortalised in bronze outside the Stadium of Light.
The episode also explores the wider context: Sunderland’s underdog status, the local pride that carried them through, and how their 1973 win remains a symbol of what football means to ordinary people — passion, belief, and the chance to make history.
Fifty years on, Sunderland’s triumph still stands as a testament to heart over hierarchy, reminding the world that sometimes, the magic of the FA Cup really can make the impossible happen.
Takeaways
Sunderland’s 1973 victory remains one of football’s greatest underdog stories.
Bob Stokoe built belief and unity in a team of unsung heroes.
Montgomery’s save is among the most famous in Wembley history.
The triumph came amid illness, fixture chaos, and huge adversity.
The legacy of 1973 continues to inspire fans across generations.
Sunderland 1973: The Shock That Stopped Leeds
The Sunderland 1973 FA Cup team remains one of the greatest underdog stories in football history — a Second Division side who dared to dream and conquered Don Revie’s all-conquering Leeds United under the arch of Wembley.
Led by Bob Stokoe, Sunderland’s journey captured the spirit of an entire city. Battling through a tough cup run and a gruelling winter flu outbreak that left players exhausted, they overcame adversity with belief, teamwork, and a tactical simplicity rooted in hard graft.
The final itself has entered football folklore. Ian Porterfield’s volleyed finish gave Sunderland the lead, but it was Jim Montgomery’s astonishing double save — first from Trevor Cherry, then Peter Lorimer — that sealed their immortality. Described as one of the greatest saves ever seen at Wembley, it was an act of athleticism and instinct that defined the underdog spirit.
When the final whistle blew, Stokoe’s jubilant sprint across the turf, trench coat flapping, became an image for the ages — a celebration not just of victory, but of belief rewarded.
For Sunderland, this was more than a trophy. It was a triumph of character over circumstance. Against the odds, they toppled one of the finest English sides ever assembled. Their story is one of unity — a team built on trust, a community lifted by pride, and a legacy cast in bronze outside the Stadium of Light in the form of the Montgomery statue.
Fifty years on, Sunderland’s 1973 heroes remain legends. Their triumph is retold not just as a football victory, but as a celebration of what makes the FA Cup magic — the possibility that, on any given day, courage and heart can change football history forever.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Sunderland’s road to Wembley under Bob Stokoe
The 1973 FA Cup final vs Leeds United
Jim Montgomery’s legendary double save
The winter flu epidemic and fixture chaos
The statue and legacy of the 1973 heroes
Sunderland’s cultural and emotional impact on the North East
Ian Porterfield’s volley to give Sunderland the lead
Jim Montgomery’s miraculous double save vs Leeds
Bob Stokoe’s hat-and-trench-coat dash across Wembley
The lifting of the FA Cup as Second Division champions
The statue commemorating the 1973 heroes
Notable Manager
Notable Players
Jim Montgomery, Ian Porterfield, Billy Hughes, Dennis Tueart, Dick Malone, Bobby Kerr, Richie Pitt, Dave Watson, Mick Horswill, Vic Halom
Style of Play
4-4-2 Formation, Counter-Attacking, Deep Block Defence, Team Cohesion, Work Rate, Transitional Play
Sunderland 1973 embodied everything the FA Cup romanticises — heart, discipline, and sheer willpower. Managed by Bob Stokoe, they played a structured 4-4-2, built on defensive organisation, relentless work rate, and quick transitions that punished opponents on the break.
At the back, Dave Watson anchored the defence with composure, while full-backs Dick Malone and Richie Pitt pushed wide when countering. In midfield, captain Bobby Kerr set the tempo with tireless pressing and leadership, supported by Mick Horswill and Dennis Tueart, who offered energy and width. Up front, Billy Hughes and Vic Halom combined movement and aggression, creating chaos against more technically gifted defences.
The tactical plan was simple but perfectly executed: defend deep, frustrate, and break with purpose. Against Leeds, Sunderland’s bravery was as much mental as tactical — fearless in tackles, unified in structure, and spurred on by Montgomery’s command in goal. Their 1–0 victory wasn’t luck; it was the culmination of a disciplined system executed flawlessly.
Beyond tactics, Sunderland’s style reflected the working-class roots of the club and its supporters — honest, hard-working, and unyielding. They proved that tactical simplicity, when backed by belief and togetherness, can conquer even the greatest odds.
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