On This Day (26 July 1992): Child’s Play In Scotland As Crosby Tests System

Having made a shock appearance in the FA Cup final at the end of the 1991/1992 campaign, thoughts were turning to the new season at Sunderland – with a different trophy now up for grabs.

The Lads began their 1992/1993 pre-season programme at Falkirk, whose kit was also provided by manufacturer hummel.

The Danish brand saw the fixture as a unique marketing opportunity and so offered up a crystal trophy for the winners, although in the end the two clubs decided to share it when the full time whistle blew and the contest had finished all square. As is often the case, the result wasn’t the main focus for Malcolm Crosby, and the Sunderland boss was still able to take plenty from the match.

The squad had a fresh look about it, with new arrivals Shaun Cunnington and John Colquhoun both getting minutes, whilst trialist Terry Butcher looked in fine form on his debut for the club.

The former England captain was looking to re-register himself as a player after a stint as manager at Coventry City followed by a short spell out of the sport altogether, and having not played competitively in over a year, was looking to prove his fitness. However, the defender appeared to be more than comfortable and cruised through the afternoon.

Whereas Butcher was an established name with proven pedigree, Crosby wanted to try something different in attack and before the trip to Scotland, he spoke about training ground efforts to make the team more threatening, with his plan to utilise a sweeper being replaced by a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Colquhoun, Peter Davenport, Brian Mooney and Kieron Brady were all mentioned as potentially being able to take up a free role behind the two strikers, although when the system was unveiled against The Bairns, it was cup run hero John Byrne that got the first stab at it.

Falkirk, who were much further ahead in their schedule due to the Scottish leagues having an earlier start date, did enjoy the better of the opening minutes.

Once Sunderland started to familiarise themselves with their tactics however they took control of proceedings, only to then find themselves falling behind against the run of play when Scott Sloan was fouled by Kevin Ball in the area and tucked away the resulting penalty.

Goalkeeper Tim Carter was close to stopping the spot kick, although the Lads found themselves level again shortly afterwards when Peter Davenport pounced on a rebound from a Don Goodman attempt.

Both goals came before the break but whilst Sunderland were able to continue on the front foot in the second half, they were unable to convert any of the chances they created. Colquhoun was handed the roaming commission when Crosby shifted things around late on, with Gary Owers being slotted in at right back during a string of personnel and positional switches.

Running the rule over his options certainly gave Crosby food for thought, but he would have to wait until the following month when the league programme started to find out whether he had the right formula to crack Division One.

Sunday 26 July 1992

Hummel Challenge Trophy

Brockville Park

Falkirk 1 (Sloan (p) 42′)

Sunderland 1 (Davenport 43′)

Sunderland: Carter (Norman 46′), Kay (Armstrong 46′), Butcher; Ball, Ord, Owers; Cunnington, Atkinson (Colquhoun 46′), Bryne (Gray 60′); Davenport, Goodman