28 Years Of Mackem Hurt!

Last Updated : 25-Oct-2008 by
Stan Cummins, who former Toon boss Jack Charlton tipped to be "the first £1m player", gave Sunderland a 1-0 win at Roker Park.

*As it happens, Trevor Francis became the first £1m player (in Britain), although Brian Clough later said the figure was £999,999, because the young Francis didn't want the honour. But add-ons took it over the million.

There was a long-running battle between Cummings and Toon defender Davy Barton during those derby fixtures, that boiled over on the pitch at times, for reasons I cannot explain on this website.

They grew up in the same part of Durham (Ferryhill/West Cornforth) and the battle raged for some time.

Since 1980, the short trip back from Wearside has been a delight, with the Mackems having very little to show for their efforts on home soil.

That is a run Steven Taylor is determined to keep going.

Taylor: "We know about Newcastle's record at Sunderland and we are not even thinking about the possibility of a defeat.

"Our priority is to go there and win the game. As a Geordie, the derbies against Sunderland are the first games you look for when the fixtures come out, and I am glad the first game is away.

"We didn't perform well in the last game at the Stadium of Light, we are well aware of that.

"The main thing now is that we are going there full of confidence after playing Manchester City with 10 men. The lads showed a lot of character and performed to their best.

"It's going to take a collective performance, we can't carry anybody. When the going gets tough, it's up to the boys to stand up and be counted."

Joe Kinnear: "It will be my first experience of a derby of this nature. I have played in numerous derbies, but they tell me there is nothing like this one.

"It's a fantastic experience for me. I am glad in the spell that I am here that I will be able to witness that, or sample it from the bench."