When Sunderland Played For England

During the 1979/80 season, Arsenal’s Alan Sunderland enjoyed a fine season at Arsenal. Ending the campaign as their top scorer. As a result, he gained four England B caps during the year. And was named in Ron Greenwood’s party to visit Australia as part of the hosts’ football centenary celebrations. In truth, the squad was essentially a B-team selection. None of the players made it into England’s XI for the Euro 1980 opener against Belgium.

Despite the low-key nature of the match, Sunderland got a full 85 minutes to try and show his worth. He was eventually replaced by Brighton’s Peter Ward. Himself becoming a one-cap wonder in the process.

Missed Opportunity?

Indeed Sunderland would come close to scoring on his debut. Aussie keeper Greg Woodhouse smothering his effort as Sunderland found himself through on goal. Would his England career have progressed further if he had taken his chance? Who knows. But as soon as Alan Sunderland shook hands with Ward his one shot at glory had been and gone.

He would never again get the opportunity to wear the Three Lions in a full international.

“He should have played 30 times for England,” David O’Leary commented in My Story in 1988. “Players got in the England side around that time who were not in the same class as Sunderland.”

Better Than Keegan

Terry Neill, his manager at Arsenal, was also gushing in his praise for Sunderland. “He was almost the complete all-round footballer, who could play in any position. He had more technical skill than Kevin Keegan”. Neill went on to add “I believe he could have gone as far as Keegan in the game.”

Tellingly though, Neill also reveals his frustration in his Revelations of a Football Manager book. “All he needed was some drive.

I often despaired, wondering what to do with him to help him achieve his potential.” For a player who scored 92 goals for Arsenal, including an FA Cup final winner and a hat-trick against Tottenham, the one cap feels a little inadequate”