The story of the team that caused the last, great FA Cup upset...

Today, it seems inconceivable that a team from the lower reaches of the Championship could beat the likes of Chelsea or Manchester United in the FA Cup Final. Yet, on 5 May 1973 that is exactly what happened?

Six months earlier, Bob Stokoe took on an ailing Sunderland team, struggling at the bottom of the second division. But the long road to Wembley sees them beating Arsenal and Manchester City to reach the final, where they face Don Revie's mighty Leeds United in a game few expect them to win. Yet what lies ninety minutes ahead is the greatest FA Cup Final shock of all time. Sunderland's victory was, arguably, the last fairytale of recent footballing times. In STOKOE, SUNDERLAND AND '73, Lance Hardy talks to all the Sunderland players who turned out at Wembley that day and to the family of Bob Stokoe, to produce the definitive account of an unforgettable game.

Prizes

Short-listed for British Sports Book Awards: Best Football Book 2010

Times have changed but this book is an engrossing reminder for all fans, not just Mackems, of the way it was * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
As essential piece of British football history for fans of any club. Brilliantly researched and written with an undisguised passion -- Guy Mowbray * BBC'S MATCH OF THE DAY *
The angel is in the detail of such a loving work; you really get to know the players who beat Leeds United at Wembley -- Patrick Barclay * THE TIMES *
Through sport, quite ordinary folk can attain heroic status. Lance Hardy's entertaining book shows how it happens * THE JOURNAL *
Evoking the atmosphere of a vanished footballing age, this is a fascinating account of a true David and Goliath sporting encounter * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *
If you like a fairytale, a story of an underdog or just a great football book, then make sure you pick up this brilliant account * InBedWithMaradona.com *
It is, without exaggeration, probably the finest football book that I have ever had the pleasure of reading -- Dan Williams * ROKERREPORT.COM *
I very much warmed to a familiar story, given added depth by amusing material, genuine feeling and honest appraisal * WHEN SATURDAY COMES *
As essential piece of British football history for fans of any club. Brillaintly researched and written with an undisguised passion. -- Guy Mowbray * BBC's MATCH OF THE DAY *
The angel is in the detail of such a loving work; you really get to know the players who beat Leeds United at Wembley. -- Patrick Barclay * TIMES *
Times have changed but this book is an engrossing reminder for all fans, not just Mackems, of the way it was. -- Simon Redfern * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
Through sport, quite ordinary folk can attain heroic status. Lance Hardy's entertaining book shows how it happens. * THE JOURNAL *
Evoking the atmosphere of a vanished footballing age, this is a fascinating account of a true David and Goliath sporting encounter. * SOUTH WALES ARGUS *
'If you like a fairytale, a story of an underdog or just a great football book, then make sure you pick up this brilliant account.' * IN BED WITH MARADONA.COM *
It is, without exaggeration, probably the finest football book that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. -- Dan Williams * ROKERREPORT.COM *

Lance Hardy was a writer and television producer. He worked at numerous sports events around the world including six World Cups and four Olympic Games. He was shortlisted for Football Book of the Year for Stokoe, Sunderland and '73, and collaborated with darts legend Bobby George to write Bobby Dazzler, voted Book of the Week in the Independent. He died in 2021.