World Cup 1966 in Roker Park

Tell us your memories of Roker Park in 1966. E-mail: [e-mail]

As England bids for the 2018 World Cup, we take a look back at when the 1966 World Cup came to Roker Park.

See pictures of the games held at Roker Park as part of the World Cup in 1966

We also asked for your memories of the World Cup coming to Sunderland and here are some of your responses.

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Rory Crowe, Ethiopia, writes:

I lived very near the ground and I used to play on "conkey" and chase autographs - Clough, Hooper, McNab, Big Charlie, Herd, Crossan … - well before Black Cat Club etc was built.

I had Roker End season ticket and watched World Cup games from usual spot behind goal. I went because I wanted to experience attending World Cup.

The atmosphere was bland - crowds were smaller than Sunderland league games and there were no home supporters cheering their team.

Most players were strangers - Soviet 'keeper Lev Yashin was world No.1, some Italians were known - but, unlike now, first tier of English football dominated by British players including Sunderland's Jim Baxter.

I went again in 2006 - not finals, Asian qualifiers in Laos. Laos were eliminated but there was a great atmosphere as there were plenty home fans!

Will there be another chance in 2018? Too early to tell, though I think it may go to southern hemisphere.

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John Freeman, Aberdeen, writes:

I attended the Hungary v Russia match as a 16-year-old, and remember standing behind the legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, at the Roker end, and observing his enormous hands.

I had been looking forward to seeing the flair of the Magyars , particularly after they had beaten the holders, Brazil in style (apart from kicking Pele off the park!).

But they too suffered, under the physicality of the Russians, and their winger Albert, who had scored a magnificent volley against Brazil, never got a look in.

Funny how the short hair and kit, that looked so dated when looking back from the 70's and 80's, now doesn't look so bad.

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Pete McLeod, Aberdeen, writes:

I was at the Soviet Union v Italy match that day with my Uncle - I had just turned fourteen and it was a lovely warm sunny day.

I think this result knocked the Italians out of the cup and I remember the headlines a few days later when the Italian players got back home, they were pelted with tomatoes at the airport by irate fans.

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Ken Smithson, Sunderland, writes:

My abiding memory of the World Cup games at Roker Park was more about meeting the fans than anything else.

We were at St Mary's School right next to the Polytechnic and we soon realised that there were a load of foreign football fans staying in the halls of residence.

They were mostly Russian and we made every effort to meet them by climbing over the back wall and attempting conversation.

What they wanted more than anything were souvenirs to take home, especially World Cup Willie cards, stickers and badges.

Loads were given away free in comics and we soon gathered a good few to swap for fantastic metal badges, hammer and sickle adorned, and Russian red flags. We did a roaring trade.

It was a really exciting time, we made the fans welcome then and we would do so again given the chance in 2018.

If you have any memories of the World Cup coming to Roker Park in 1966, e-mail your story to: [e-mail]

See pictures of the games held at Roker Park as part of the World Cup in 1966

More of your memories: 1966 World Cup in Sunderland.