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.

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. Gates’ goal saw Sunderland break records for goals, wins and points in a season, and should have hat a hatful against a team beated only twice at home all season.

Grew pulled off save after save, but Gates’ goal from close range sparked wild celebrations, as Sunderland – wearing their light blue Tuborg sponsored kit – revelled in promotion.

Chairman Bob Murray said: It’s unbelievable. The only joy I’ve known like it in life was when my daughters were born.

Murray, who was just 41 at the time, had taken over a club in dire staits, had joined the board in 1984, and had been chairman for the past couple of years, after taking control from Tom Cowie and facing a fierce boardroom battle with Barry Batey.

The lifelong supporter, who had been a regular at Roker Park, said:

Also sending his congratulations north was a former Sunderland manager, Ken Knighton, who was boss when Sunderland last won promotion eight years previously.

The 43 year old had left football by this point, and the Sunday Sun had tracked him down to his Bristol office, where he worked as an executive for ‘telecommunications giant Plessey.

With a second division returned sealed, Sunderland looked ahead to an Easter Monday clash against Northampton, which would seal the championship trophy – if other results hadn’t sealed it for the club before kick off.

It wasn’t all overwhelming positivity, however – The Football Echo that night, meanwhile, carried a letter from a disgruntled supporter still annoyed by the previous week’s failure to beat Bristol City…

Just goes to show, you can’t please all of the people, all of the time!