On This Day (30 April 1988) Gates Eyes New Deal As His Goal Seals Promotion!

Eric Gates’ time at Sunderland hadn’t always been easy. For the first time in his career the former England striker dropped into the second division to join the Roker Park club in 1985, turning down top flight Newcastle in the process, but his first two seasons at the club had been a horrendous struggle, culminating in relegation to the third tier. Despite being on the transfer list as the club sought to offload his wages, the 32-year-old fought his way into Denis Smith’s team, forming a deadly strike partnership with new arrival Marco Gabbiadini.

So it was fitting, therefore, that it was Gates’ goal that sealed Sunderland’s promotion at the first attempt as Sunderland battled to a 1-0 win over Port Vale at Vale Park. The Sunderland Echo declared Sunderland as ‘Champions’ after the match – technically, we weren’t, but it would have taken a massive shift in goal difference to deprive Sunderland of the championship trophy. The game that sealed our fate wasn’t all plain sailing – the Vale keeper Mark Grew was in exceptional form – but with jsut ten minutes left Gates forced the ball home to seal all three points, and promotion.

I was beginning to worry would never get the ball past the Vale keeper. When Marco had a shot headed off the line I thought that was our last chance – I’ve never been so relieved to see a goal go in. With Denis Smith and Viv Busby in charge, this club can go all the way back to the first division, and I’d like to go with them.

I’m going to talk about a new contract this week. The game should have been done and dusted way before Gates’ late intervention. Despite stuttering through most of 1988 so far, Sunderland had chipped away at the task in hand, and seemed intent to seal the deal in Burslam.