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That Niall Quinn, eh? What a b*astard!
Okay, he's not. But before he was a Sunderland goalscoring hero, a Sunderland striker, a Sunderland goalkeeper, a Sunderland coach, a Sunderland saint building hospitals for sick Sunderland children, a Sunderland manager, a Sunderland owner, a Sunderland chairman, a dismally poor commentator and a generally impossibly nice god among mortal men, he was instrumental in breaking Sunderland hearts.
The game, which took place on this day in 1991, a whole 24 years ago, is one that has since gone down in Sunderland folklore. It was the day when Sunderland fans invaded Maine Road for the game against Peter Reid's Manchester City. Estimates range from anywhere from 9,000 to 16,000 fans from Wearside that day to try and roar the lads on to survival. It depends who you ask really.
In typical Sunderland style, on the pitch it was a case of what could have been on. Sunderland led thanks to goals from Marco Gabbiadini and Gary Bennett just before half time, but an instant defensive lapse put paid to any momentum.
Ah well. A landmark day in Sunderland folklore, regardless. Enjoy.