Four years later he is preparing for a Uefa Cup campaign with Aston Villa and another

Four years later, he is preparing for a Uefa Cup campaign with Aston Villa and another talented youngster from that County set, Mark Draper.Middlesbrough1992-93Even before Middlesbrough kicked off as the North-east’s sole representatives in the inaugural Premier League, they were struggling to cope with the burden of living in Newcastle United’s shadow. With limited financial resources, Neil Warnock was obliged to rely on virtually the same side he had in the Second Division. Early-season adrenalin eased County into 11th place by the end of September, but when winter came the points and the goals dried up. Tommy Johnson was top scorer with nine goals, and three of those were penalties “We started well enough,” Johnson recalled.

In their first two matches they played in front of 46,000 at Old Trafford and just 9,600 at Meadow Lane. A February revival sparked by three stunning wins at Roker Park was ultimately in vain.Notts County1991-92It is not difficult to see how the poorer Magpies of English football failed to survive their season as top-flighters. The kick-off at Highfield Road had been delayed and the result from Goodison announced over the tannoy with seven minutes still remaining Coventry were reprimanded by the Football League. “Our score should never have been read out,” Gary Rowell, one of Sunderland’s forwards that night, said. “It could have stopped Coventry and Bristol City going for a goal in the closing stages. But you couldn’t blame one day for our relegation.” A disastrous start, the resignation of Bob Stokoe, and nine successive defeats didn’t help.

Sunderland supporters have not forgotten the night their side’s fate was sealed with a 2-0 defeat at Everton while Coventry, whose chairman at the time was Briatin’s least- loved television pundit, played out a 2-2 draw with Bristol City which guaranteed safety for both clubs. As one of the Brunton Park full-backs, it was John Gorman’s job to link with Balderstone on Carlisle’s left flank.Sunderland1976-77If you asked on Wearside why the North-east’s three main clubs have, since 1954, spent just one season together in England’s top division, the answer would probably be: Jimmy Hill. “I spent 19 seasons in the Second Division and just that one in the First,” Balderstone recalled. “It was nice just to be up there for one year and to be top for a while. We didn’t have money to spend but we had always produced good players – like Stan Bowles and Bob Hatton – and we did have a good team then.” Glenn Hoddle’s assistant would doubtless agree with that. “I’ve given myself three years to get in the First Division, 10 to get in the Premiership,” said this amiable man. “OK, so deep down I know it’d take a miracle but I happen to believe in miracles.” Like all showmen..