On This Day (28th Dec 1992): Crosby Enjoys A Win During His Final Run

When Sunderland AFC supporters think of 1992 they will automatically recall Malcolm Crosby – a fan of the club growing up that subsequently took the Lads to Wembley as he lived out the dream of taking charge at Roker Park.

On the face of things, it was a year of great excitement but whilst people revelled in the glorious run to the FA Cup final and celebrated the news of Sunderland being given city status, the more routine days were not always as enjoyable. League form certainly was an issue under Crosby and having started 1992 in a temporary role before doing enough to be offered a permanent contact, his position as manager as the year closed out now looked to be under threat.

Whilst a three-match winning streak that spanned November and the start of December bought Crozza some time, Sunderland’s position towards the bottom of Division One remained a concern. Fears increased when the run came crashing down with a dismal loss against Brentford, and with the side hovering just above the relegation zone going into a home fixture with Grimsby Town the mood felt bleak.

In truth, the squad had a decent buffer above the dreaded dotted line in terms of points, yet the general trend had been one of a team going backwards, and with the players attracting the second largest average crowd in the division at that stage, whilst on occasions showing they that they were capable of playing a lot better, more was expected of the group. The postponement due to a frozen pitch of the Boxing Day trip to Birmingham City had added to the sense of disappointment also, although it must be said that come kick-off against the Mariners the frustration was channelled perfectly.

Whilst never a classic, Sunderland put on a fighting display full of determination in their latest outing. Crucially, they were able to bring a bit of balance to their play also and once the points had been wrapped up courtesy of goals from Don Goodman and David Rush the manager was able to come out and speak to the press in a more bullish mood;

“I rate Grimsby Town” said Crosby. “I think their football is very good and it’s credit to my players that we won. “They worked very hard to prevent Grimsby from playing their football. “In the first half both teams struggled to play, but in the second half we played some good stuff, and I felt we ended up deserved winners.”

“Nobody at the moment is giving us a chasing.” “We look as good as anybody, and we’ve got to keep believing we can go out and win games. “We’d love to be in a higher position. But we’re in touch and if we can keep winning, we can continue to close the gap.”

The Lads had taken the lead shortly before the break when Richard Ord crossed the ball from the left to an unmarked Goodman, who made sure to place his volley on target, and whilst the visitors were a fraction away from an immediate response it was clear after the break who was in control; Tony Rees, set up by Clive Mendonca, had crashed a shot against the bar but once the second half began Sunderland started totting up their own near misses.

Rush went close from a Brian Mooney cross before the midfielder had a couple of shots on goal himself, with the Dublin man involved in the winner too when his centre was converted by Rush’s acrobatic diving header. The local lad got a rousing reception when he was later substituted and replaced by Peter Davenport, albeit the majority of the Man of the Match awards went to another ex-England international, Terry Butcher.

Birthday boy Butcher, who was turning 34, was imperious in defence yet it wouldn’t be long before he was given something bigger to celebrate. The victory could have been a watershed moment in Crosby’s reign but instead proved to be the final league win before he was dismissed, whereupon Butcher was given the Roker hotseat to commence a 1993 stint that would prove to be even shorter than his predecessor’s rollercoaster year.

Monday 28 December 1992

Football League Division One

Sunderland 2 (Goodman 43’, Rush 64’)

Grimsby Town 0

Sunderland: Norman; Kay, Ord, Ball, Butcher, Mi. Gray; Mooney, Cunnington, Armstrong; Goodman, Rush (Davenport 80’) Unused: Atkinson

Roker Park, attendance 20,771