AN avid Sunderland fan who celebrated her 101st birthday less than two months ago took a trip down memory lane when she met two of the 1973 FA Cup winning team.

Nora Wright, of Barrington Lodge Care Home, in Bishop Auckland, was over the moon when goalkeeper Jim Montgomery and defender Dick Malone popped in just two days before the 40th anniversary of the Black Cats last winning the famous competition.

They chatted about that victory and how her love for the team remains as strong as ever.

As she had her picture taken with the two Sunderland legends and a replica of the FA Cup she quipped: "You'd think we had won it again this year."

Mr Malone said: "It is lovely to see how much the club means to her. I must say she is the youngest looking 101-year-old I have ever seen. She is fantastic.

"I hope she will see Sunderland win the FA Cup again."

Mr Montgomery, who holds the club record for the most appearances and still works as an ambassador on match days, is best remembered by fans for his breathtaking double save that kept Leeds at bay on that famous day at Wembley, in May 1973.

Mr Malone played more than 230 times for Sunderland, before joining Hartlepool.

Mrs Wright's son-in-law, Jeff Sutton, said the visit meant the world to her and her late son Tony had gone to school with Mr Montgomery.

The daughter of former mayor of Sunderland, Tom Cavanagh, has supported the team all her life. She was born in the city on March 10, 1912, and moved to London as a 14-year-old to work in domestic service, where she was a cook and a housekeeper.

It was here she met her husband-to-be, Fred, a chauffeur and former soldier who had served on the North West Frontier, India. They married and Mr Wright rejoined the Army during the Second World War.

She moved back to Sunderland with her young son Tony during the Blitz and lived there for many years before moving to Bishop Auckland to be near her daughter Teresa and son-in-law Jeff Sutton.