Sunderland gone from game but never forgotten

14 April 2012

Alan Sunderland still ranks prominently among the most distinguished of Arsenal's long list of FA Cup heroes, but he admits his links to the modern game are tenuous.

"I watch Arsenal on the TV, I do a bit of coaching and I've got a cockatiel called Rooney - that's about it really," he said. "I bought the cockatiel to keep my dog company, but the dog died. It's a lovely bird but it can be a bit noisy. Rooney seemed an appropriate name."

These days the former Arsenal striker, now 52, lives in Malta. Those who can remember the days before Arsene Wenger and George Graham will recall his dramatic contribution to Arsenal's FA Cup Final triumph at Wembley in 1979.

That day Sunderland broke Manchester United hearts.

On Saturday Arsenal face United at Cardiff, their first meeting in the final since Sunderland's epic intervention in the dying seconds of a largely uneventful match that burst into life.

Signed from Wolves for £220,000 in 1977, he spent seven years at Highbury, playing in three FA Cup Finals and a Cup Winners' Cup Final. But he's remembered for that goal against United in the 1979 showpiece.

It wasn't the quality of the goal, but the circumstances in which it was scored that have tied him into Wembley folklore. He's remembered for a single final in much the same way, for instance, as Sir Stanley Matthews is identified with the 1953 final.

Arsenal were leading 2-0 with five minutes remaining when Gordon McQueen pulled a goal back for United. With just two minutes left Sammy McIlroy equalised.

"We'd been coasting," recalled Sunderland. "We thought it was over. But it all changed with just a couple of minutes left. The Cup was waiting for us and then, in a matter of seconds, it was snatched away. I couldn't believe what had happened. I still find it hard to believe today. We'd lost to Ipswich in the final the previous year when everyone expected us to win. We didn't play well. They outfought us. We made a pact in the dressing room after the match. We all said that we'd be back the following year to put it right.

"We thought we'd done that and then McIlroy equalises. Straight from the restart Liam Brady ran at them with the ball and then sent Graham Rix away on the left. He crossed to the far post and I came in really late to make contact.

"I was on auto-pilot at that stage. It used to get you like that sometimes. You were so consumed by the occasion you didn't really appreciate what was happening. Anyway I lunged and the ball was in the net.

"The crowd couldn't believe what they were watching - three goals in about four minutes. We were in front but the final minute seemed longer than the previous 89. I remember Pat Jennings making a save from Joe Jordan and at one time I thought United might snatch another equaliser."

They didn't. Arsenal won 3-2. It is still considered by many to be the most incredible finish to a final in the competition's 133-year history.

"It was the most memorable day of my career," recalled Sunderland. "The following season we reached the Cup Winners' Cup Final and had a fantastic win over Juventus in Turin in the semi-final. Most of the Italian team that won the World Cup in 1982 were in that Juventus team."

Sunderland moved to Malta to rebuild his life after a career with Wolves, Arsenal and Ipswich. "I had four years as a publican in Ipswich but I was drinking myself to death," he said. "I needed to get away."

He hasn't seen Arsenal play for seven years, though offers from TV companies might tempt him to Cardiff this weekend. "I watch Arsenal on TV when I can," he said. "I went out with some friends the other night and we watched the 7-0 win over Everton. What a team they looked that night.

"No other team are capable of the one-touch football Arsenal play when they're on top of their game. They can find gears others can only dream about. I think Mr Wenger has done a great job at Arsenal."

Can one of "Sundy's" modern-day successors emulate his feat and score the winner against United? "I'm expecting a tight match," he replied. "But I fancy Arsenal to win."

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