With both clubs finishing the previous season in mid-table and level on the same number of points, Derby County and Sunderland's 1951/1952 opener seemed like it could be an intriguing affair between two evenly matched sides.
It was the second season running that the Lads were facing the Rams in their first fixture and they went into the game hoping to repeat their 1-0 Roker Park victory of a year before.
In the meantime, the teams had also played out a cracker in December 1950 that ended with the hosts winning 6-5, giving Bill Murray's men a painful memory to avenge, whilst there was a friendly rivalry between ex-teammates to be considered as well, with former Sunderland man Ken Oliver coming up against his old pals including Tommy McLain, who he had first encountered when they served in the RAF together in Sri Lanka during World War II.
Oliver proved to be one of Derby's stronger performers in the end, although McLain came away the happiest, scoring what was to be his only goal in Sunderland colours — and a beauty at that.
Whereas it was a rare strike for the half-back, it was one of several in the match itself as another end-to-end affair ensued, and it brought the visitors level following a lightning start from County that had initially caught their opponents cold.
#county
It was the second season running that the Lads were facing the Rams in their first fixture and they went into the game hoping to repeat their 1-0 Roker Park victory of a year before.
In the meantime, the teams had also played out a cracker in December 1950 that ended with the hosts winning 6-5, giving Bill Murray's men a painful memory to avenge, whilst there was a friendly rivalry between ex-teammates to be considered as well, with former Sunderland man Ken Oliver coming up against his old pals including Tommy McLain, who he had first encountered when they served in the RAF together in Sri Lanka during World War II.
Oliver proved to be one of Derby's stronger performers in the end, although McLain came away the happiest, scoring what was to be his only goal in Sunderland colours — and a beauty at that.
Whereas it was a rare strike for the half-back, it was one of several in the match itself as another end-to-end affair ensued, and it brought the visitors level following a lightning start from County that had initially caught their opponents cold.
#county
2 months ago
