On This Day (14 May 1984) Brutal Ashurst Swings Axe After Season Finale

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Sunderland manager Len Ashust gives the thumbs up prior to the 1985 Milk League Cup Final against Norwich City at Wembley Stadium on March 24th, 1985 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive) Len Ashurst was keen to get his own revolution underway – with seemingly little consideration for those around him. After returning to the club as manager to replace Alan Durban, he had successfully secured top flight football for the season ahead – although how much he had to do with the final day 2-0 win at Leicester that rubber stamped safety is anyone’s guess.

Unusually, Ashurst had chosen not to travel or stay with the team before the game with relegation still a mathematical possibility – and prior to kick off had got stuck in traffic, leaving player-coaches Pop Robson and Leighton James to hand in the team sheet and decide upon tactics. While James – who’d been a regular all season – was dropped for the game, Robson started alongside James’ replacement Lee Chapman. And it was Chapman who scored the opener to set Sunderland on the road to a precious win, with 38 year old Robson sealing the deal on what turned out to be the last of his 182 appearances for the club.

Because Ashurst, it seems, was in no mood for sentiment. And on this day in 1984 – two days after that game at Filbert Street – the axe was being well and truly swung. In truth, it had already begun prior to safety being certain.

The team and fans went into the final game knowing Paul Bracewell would be sold to Everton after just one season at Roker – with Ashurst rumoured to be prepared to sell him for less than the club paid Stoke for him 12 months earlier. That in itself is bizarre on a number or levels. Here’s a young, terrifically talented midfielder, coming off the back of an excellent season personally, and coveted by one of the country’s leading clubs.