Sunderland faced relegation after a defeat to Leicester, with manager Len Ashurst expected to stay despite the setback. Chairman Tom Cowie attributed the team's struggles to injuries and expressed a commitment to rebuilding the squad.
Key points
Sunderland was relegated after a defeat to Leicester City.
Len Ashurst was expected to remain as manager despite relegation.
Tom Cowie blamed injuries for the team's poor performance.
The club was financially stronger due to the Milk Cup run.
Mentioned in this story
Len AshurstTom CowieMark ProctorArthur CoxIan PorterfieldMick BuxtonKeith BurkinshawBob PaisleyLeicester City
SunderlandMilk Cup
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Sunderland manager Len Ashust gives the thumbs up prior to the 1985 Milk League Cup Final against Norwich City at Wembley Stadium on March 24th, 1985 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: Sunderland manager Len Ashust gives the thumbs up prior to the 1985 Milk League Cup Final against Norwich City at Wembley Stadium on March 24th, 1985 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Allsport/Getty Images/Hulton Archive)
It was the morning after the night before. Sunderland were waking up as a relegated club, after a defeat at Leicester sealed a fate that had looked increasingly likely as April progressed.
The Milk Cup run had perhaps taken some attention away from the league danger that was never lurking too far away, and the 2-0 defeat to the Foxes, thanks to two goals from âlong-term Sunderland targetâ Gary Linker, sealed relegation with one game left.
In truth, the turgid run of form since beating Norwich at Carrow Road a week before Wembley deserved little more. In 11 games the club had won just one and drawn two, and after a 4-0 hammering away at Villa Park, the game against the Foxes put the final nails in a well built coffin.
After the game, Ashurst said:
Relegation has been staring us in the face for some weeks, but our travelling fans typified tonight what we have going for us. It shows what an overwhelming obligation we have to get back up at the first attempt.
Of course, most reading this will know that Len Ashurst wasnât in charge come the start of the next season, so itâs interesting to look at Chairman Tom Cowieâs immediate thoughts on the managerâs culpability or otherwise in the immediate aftermath.
Because, as far as Mr Cowie was concerned, Len was staying despite demotion.
Len Ashurst has a contract for three years. He has just started it and there is no reason to suppose that he wonât continue in charge.
Q&A
What led to Sunderland's relegation in 1985?
Sunderland's relegation was sealed by a 2-0 defeat to Leicester, marking a poor run of form with only one win in 11 games.
What were Tom Cowie's comments on Len Ashurst's future after relegation?
Tom Cowie stated that Len Ashurst would remain as manager despite the relegation, citing his contract and the need to rebuild the squad.
How did injuries impact Sunderland's performance in the 1984-85 season?
Injuries, particularly to Mark Proctor, were highlighted as a significant factor in Sunderland's struggles, affecting their ability to compete effectively.
Who were the potential candidates to replace Len Ashurst after his departure?
Arthur Cox and Ian Porterfield were considered favorites to replace Len Ashurst, with Mick Buxton, Keith Burkinshaw, and Bob Paisley also mentioned.
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I am shattered by what has happened and it is a sad state of affairs that we have been relegated. However, I have considered it a foregone conclusion for some time that we would go down.
Instead, Cowie seemed to lay the blame at the door of the medical staff, whoâd underestimated the timeframe of Mark Proctorâs injury.
No-one could envisage the injuries we have had to endure. The loss of Mark Proctor on New Yearâs Day began our troubles. We were informed by the medical team that he would be back shortly. With hindsight perhaps we should have gone out and bought a replacement.
But everyone can be wise after the event and just before the transfer deadline we talked of strengthening the squad, but Len felt we would be alright.
Money was available then and will be again in the close season, when we must try and bring in better quality players.
Sunderlandâs financial position was significantly stronger than it had been thanks to the Milk Cup run, and it certainly seemed Ashurst would be given the chance to lead Sunderland back up to the top table, especially given he and assistant Frank Burrows had only signed new, three year deals in January, less than a year after taking charge.
All of that changed over the course of May, however. Interestingly, the club statement announcing Ashurstâs departure was ambiguous in that it didnât say whether it was the clubâs decision to get rid, or Lenâs to resign.
Later, it transpired it was the clubâs, and interestingly, it was ârebel shareholderâ Barry Batey, who was in the press talking about the decision to get rid of the former Sunderland defender, citing a concern that Sunderlandâs crowds would drop below 9000 should Ashurst continue in the post.
In the immediate aftermath of Ashurstâs departure, Arthur Cox and Ian Porterfield were considered the favourites for the post, with Mick Buxton, Keith Burkinshaw and Bob Paisely also mentioned in dispatches.
We all know what happened next, of course, and you wonder how much the fact that Lawrie McMenemy had decided to leave Southampton on 1 June played in that decision-making processâŠ
