It's 50 years to the day since Sunderland pulled off the greatest shock in FA Cup final history when they lifted the famous old trophy at Wembley in 1973. Bob Stokoe's Second Division side stunned the footballing world when they beat Don Revie's then-mighty Leeds United side in a game that has become part of FA Cup folklore.
That Sunderland side achieved a form of immortality, and the players who brought the cup back to the North East - names such as Jimmy Montgomery, Ian Porterfield, Bobby Kerr, Dave Watson, and Dennis Tueart - are still revered on Wearside half a century on. Their Road to Wembley began inauspiciously way back in January when Stokoe had not long taken over a side that was just above the relegation zone, and they embarked on their cup journey with a third round tie at Third Division Notts County.
By the time they arrived for the showpiece occasion beneath the Twin Towers, Sunderland were the story of the season and their cup run ran alongside a steady climb up the league table and they sat seventh in the table. ChronicleLive has been retracing every step of Sunderland's journey to Wembley, 50 years on.
