SUNDERLAND football fans can seek solace from relegation gloom by reflecting on former glories of the side.

An exhibition celebrating the greatest achievement in the club's 124-year history opens today.

The 30th anniversary of Sunderland's FA Cup triumph over Leeds United is being marked with a trip down memory lane.

Bob Stokoe's Division Two side became the nation's darlings with a 1-0 victory over Don Revie's star-laden Leeds' line-up.

Three decades later, Sunderland's cup success remains the last major silverware won by a North-East club.

The National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, is staging the Legends of '73 exhibition, featuring glass cast footprints of the team, plus the handprint of goalkeeper Jim Montgomery, whose double-stop from goal-bound Trevor Cherry and Peter Lorimer efforts was voted the best save in Wembley history.

Scores of Sunderland souvenirs and match-day memorabilia have been donated by fans to add to the display, which is completed with a glass replica of the FA Cup made by Dartington Crystal of Devon.

All but goalscorer Ian Porterfield, now in club management in South Korea, and centre-half Dave Watson attended last night's exhibition preview, along with 150 supporters who donated items on show.

They included Ian Elliott, from Sunderland, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on Monday.

He was born when the winning goal hit the net in the 31st minute on May 5, 1973, and his parents were thrilled when the scorer, Porterfield, later agreed to be his godfather.

Exhibition organiser Alison Atkinson, National Glass Centre corporate and events manager, said Legends of '73 would offer Sunderland fans an antidote to the depression of this season's relegation from the Premier League.

She said: "It has taken a few months to put together but there's everything there to bring back the happy memories for any Sunderland fan.

"We've even done a small tribute to the team of 1937, the only other time Sunderland won the cup."

Dave Watson will join his former team-mates at a 30th anniversary dinner at the Stadium of Light banqueting suite tonight.

The reunion was organised by the 80-strong SAFC Former Players' Association.

* Legends of '73, a free exhibition, runs in the National Glass Centre's main foyer and Mezzanine Gallery until June 29