Born on this day in 1917 was legendary Sunderland keeper, Johnny Mapson - 1937 FA Cup winner and club legend.
Mapson was only 18 when he was called up to play for Sunderland in 1936 against Portsmouth, it all happened in rather tragic circumstances - number one goalkeeper, Jimmy Thorpe had died in hospital after suffering a head injury against Chelsea.
When he debuted at Roker Park against Pompey, he had only ever made a handful of Third Division appearances and was stepping into big shoes, and had big gloves to fill. Johnny Cochrane instilled his trust into the young Mapson and Sunderland stormed to the finish line and won the First Division, although unfortunately for Mapson, his debut in April had come too late and therefore didn't play enough games to warrant a medal.
Mapson would start between the sticks in the 1937 FA Cup final the following season as Sunderland defeated Preston North End 3-1 to lift their first ever FA Cup, and young Johnny would shine in that star studded team, becoming famous for his powerful goal and clearance kicks.
During World War Two, Mapson moved back down south to work in an engineering factory helping the war effort, where during his time there, played for Reading and helped the Berkshire side to victory in the London War Cup in 1941; an impressive shot stopper and all round keeper, he was called up to play a wartime friendly for England against Wales.
He returned to Wearside in peacetime and would return to number 1 at Roker Park until his retirement in 1954, he would live until August 1999 in Washington with his family. His passing marked the end of an era as he was the last surviving member of the famous 1937 team.
