Nine of Sunderland's best opening games over the years, including Seb's screamer and Niall strikes again: gallery

By Chris Cordner

Published 26th Jul 2023, 11:00 BST

9 SAFC openers you might remember - cue Quinny, Darren Bent, Eric Gates

The countdown is on to another football season.

Here we go again with Sunderland kicking off against Ipswich Town on August 6.

But will it be a thriller like the time they battled out a 3-3 draw with Ally McCoist on the bench?

Can we secure a win like we did against Spurs in 2007, Bolton in 2009 or Charlton in 2018.

Have a look at our Echo archive photo collection and see if you favourite opening day is in the list.

Another day like these would do just nicely.

1. Another day like these would do just nicely.

Another day like these would do just nicely.

Sunderland started the 1980-81 season with a 3-1 win over Everton.
John Hawley and Stan Cummins got their names on the scoresheet.

2. Sunderland started the 1980-81 season with a 3-1 win over Everton. John Hawley and Stan Cummins got their names on the scoresheet.

Sunderland started the 1980-81 season with a 3-1 win over Everton. John Hawley and Stan Cummins got their names on the scoresheet.

Sunderland faced Ipswich in 1981 with a certain Ally McCoist on the bench.
But after taking a 3-1 lead, the Black Cats were pegged back to a draw by a team which were the UEFA Cup holders.

3. Sunderland faced Ipswich in 1981 with a certain Ally McCoist on the bench. But after taking a 3-1 lead, the Black Cats were pegged back by a team which were the UEFA Cup holders.

Sunderland faced Ipswich in 1981 with a certain Ally McCoist on the bench. But after taking a 3-1 lead, the Black Cats were pegged back to a draw by a team which were the UEFA Cup holders.

Eric Gates and Warren Hawke were on target away at Swindon in 1989.
The season ended against the same opponents in the play-off finals - and Sunderland won promotion despite losing the finals.

4. Eric Gates and Warren Hawke were on target away at Swindon in 1989. The season ended against the same opponents in the play-off finals - and Sunderland won promotion despite losing the finals.

Eric Gates and Warren Hawke were on target away at Swindon in 1989. The season ended against the same opponents in the play-off finals - and Sunderland won promotion despite losing the finals.

SAFC Nostalgia Sunderland

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