OTD: ERIC GATES BORN

Born on this day is former striker Eric Gates, who joined the lads from Ipswich under newly appointed Lawrie McMenemy and formed one half of the fierce G-Force.

Making his debut in a 2-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers, Gates scored his first goal in a 3-3 draw against Grimsby Town. Initially, Eric struggled at Roker Park with Sunderland finishing just two places above the relegation zone. The following season was a disaster as we all know; McMenemy’s side were famously relegated to the third tier for the first time in their history, with the manager eventually leaving the club at an all-time low. This was despite Gates scoring twice against Gillingham in a relegation play-off.

New gaffer Denis Smith brought a breath of fresh air to the club and along with Smith from York City came Gates’ new partner up front, Marco Gabbiadini. The pair hit 40 goals between them as the lads took the league by storm. This prolific season led to Sunderland fans affectionately naming the pair as the G-Force. Gates became a legend at Sunderland, once scoring four times in a 7-0 win over Southend. The Ferryhill-born forward also bagged a hat trick against Rotherham as well as scoring in a title-winning 3-1 victory over Northampton.

The following season, Gates scored just four goals as Sunderland finished comfortably mid-table in 11th. However, the striker’s final season on Wearside was once again successful, firing us to promotion. Probably his most significant goal during his time on Wearside was the opener in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the play-off semi-final, a win which sent us to Wembley. Although the team lost to Swindon, Sunderland ultimately were given promotion after the Robins were found guilty of financial irregularities.

After leaving Sunderland, Gates joined Carlisle United where he scored 8 goals in 38 appearances. Eric then retired before joining the Three Legends radio phone-in show. Although, sources are conflicted about whether his birthday is today, or actually the 28th! He's such an icon on Wearside that ALS used to have a bobble hat named after him!