On This Day (29th April 1978): Joe, Joe, Joe Bolton!

Joe Bolton, Sunderland (Photo by S&G/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images The 1977/78 season had not gone to plan! Sunderland had been relegated from the top tier the previous season, but had staged a marvellous effort to preserve their status in the First Division under Jimmy Adamson. He had wheeled and dealt with the squad he had inherited and with a clutch of younger players up from the Youth system, as well as Mick Docherty from Manchester City for a real bargain fee of £10,000, the team had thrilled us with a run from February to the very last game of that season in a heart-breaking finish.

We might have been relegated, but such was our thrilling form and skilful displays, that many of us thought we were certainties to come back up in 1977/78. A bad start and some inconsistent performances, especially away from Roker Park cost us any chance of promotion and we spent most of the season in mid-table. Similar to the previous season though, we closed out this campaign with a stirring run that saw only one defeat in seven games as we found some form and consistency!

Jeff Clarke’s return from injury in December of this campaign certainly improved our performances, though Barry Siddall, Mick Docherty and Gary Rowell I would argue had generally been consistently good throughout the whole of the season. Another player who I felt had been right on top of his game all season was Joe Bolton. If there was a better left-back in the division I had not seen him!

Joe had a reputation for being a ferocious tackler, tough as teak and this was true, but there was much more to his game. He had a great ability to hound and harry opposition players without giving away a foul. He also was some sight on the break down his flank, a literal express train that took some stopping.