George Hardwick’s reward for guiding Sunderland to safety was the sack. For 1965-66 Ian McColl, an ex-international with Rangers, became manager and immediately signed Jim Baxter from Rangers, regularly capped since 1961.

Baxter, nicknamed "Slim Jim" was, in hindsight, past his best, although his career had included some memorable moments with both Raith Rovers and Rangers. However it was perhaps 2 quite exceptional performances which immortalised him to his native Scots.

His 2 goals for his homeland, against England in 1963, where he famously left the Wembley pitch with the ball tucked up his blue jersey, was inconceivably bettered in 1967 when the Sassenachs were defeated at Wembley, their first reversal as World champions.

He would eventually be transferred to Nottingham Forest in 1967, and retired as a Glasgow Publican in 1970. His famous quote of "I overdid it", referred to a match in 1964 against Rapid Vienna, where his artistry led to a broken leg.

In true Sunderland fashion this was a roller coaster season. We started with 2 winless game, won 2 on the trot, lost 2, won 3 and so it carried on. It was the spell in February/March, 5 consecutive defeats which really had us panicking.

On 6 September 1965 Sunderland were beaten 1 v 3 at Villa Park. Whilst the score was nothing unusual a Sunderland "first" took place. Mike Hellawell was replaced by Alan Gauden who became the very first Wearside substitute. The "phenomena" that was substitutions had been introduced from the beginning of the 1965/66 season. The villa game was Sunderland’s 6th of the season.

Neil Martin from Hibernian was brought in to steady the ship, and Harry Hood, signed from Clyde the previous season, never made one appearance. Sunderland won only one league game away from home, at Bloomfield Road and even our home form was poor.

The League Cup saw us defeat Sheffield United and then succumb to cup bogey side Aston Villa. The FA Cup saw us defeated at Goodison Park in the 3rd round.

However as the season ended, a World Cup began, and with Roker Park chosen as one of the venues we settled back to entertain the world on Wearside.