Born on this day is one of Sunderland’s most successful managers, Peter Reid. Reid brought passion, honesty and determination to the Sunderland side, reinvigorating the team as well as re-establishing a connection between the club and the local area. His aggressive, no-nonsense style of play was a perfect fit for a working class fanbase like Sunderland.
After impressing at Manchester City, Reid returned to management to join Sunderland, saving the lads from a relegation battle before winning the First Division the following season. Quickly becoming a fan favourite, a group of supporters made a song named “Cheer Up Peter Reid” which became a top 40 hit.
The following season Reid’s Sunderland were relegated on the last day of season. The season after we lost the play off final to Charlton, but romped the league the season after…
On returning to the top flight, Reid led Sunderland to their highest ever Premier League finish, finishing seventh and only just missing out on Europe twice in a row. One of the gaffer’s most inspired signings is obviously “Super” Kevin Phillips, who remains the only Englishman to win the European Golden Boot and did so under Reid’s tutelage. Reid and Phillips were pivotal to Sunderland’s ‘Golden Era’, with Reid also bringing in stars such as Niall Quinn.
After the highs of seventh, the team suffered a strange downturn in form, finding themselves one place above the relegation zone. Reid broke the bank for Tore Andre Flo, who was unsuccessful to say the least. As well as a failed star signing, there was a rift in the boardroom and Reid was eventually sacked but we still went down…
After leaving Wearside, Reidy went on to manage Leeds United. Initially impressing, Reid kept United up at the end of the season. However, Leeds were hampered with financial struggles which forced Reid into selling Harry Kewell before being sacked in November.
After a brief stint at Coventry, Reid bizarrely took over at Thailand, and referred to his players by squad number rather than their actual names! Strangely, neither Sunderland nor Reid were able to move onto bigger and better things, and both were left longing for the good old days.
