On this day, March 15, 1967, Sunderland and Leeds United clashed in the FA Cup fifth-round replay at Elland Road. The match was a highly anticipated encounter, with a crowd of over 57,000 in attendance.
However, the excitement was almost overshadowed by a pre-match incident that raised safety concerns. Thousands of spectators were locked out when the turnstiles were shut 23 minutes before kick-off, leading to a crush barrier collapsing at the corner of Lowfields Road and the Scratching Shed.
Eighteen people were taken to the hospital with crush injuries, and the match was halted for 15 minutes. Despite the chaos, the game resumed, and Sunderland took the lead through John O’Hare’s 37th-minute goal.
Leeds United equalized just a minute later, with Johnny Giles scoring from a free kick. The rest of the game was a cagey affair, with both teams creating few scoring opportunities. The match ultimately ended 1-1, with the tie going to a second replay.
The second replay was played at Hull City’s Boothferry Park four days later. Sunderland’s team for the Elland Road replay included Jim Montgomery, George Kinnell, and Jimmy Baxter, among others.
This match was a significant encounter in the history of both Sunderland and Leeds United, and it marked a turning point in their respective seasons. The drama and excitement of the match have been remembered for decades, and it remains an important part of the clubs’ shared history.
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