Clive Hetherington speaks to Jim Montgomery about the greatest day of his career - and that save.

WHEN football talk turns to great saves, Jim Montgomery's astonishing double stop in the 1973 FA Cup final always merits a mention.

It ranks with Gordon Banks' miraculous save from Pele in the Mexico World Cup three years earlier and, more recently, David Seaman's amazing goalline denial of Paul Peschisolido in Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final victory against Sheffield United at Old Trafford.

Monty's Wembley heroics in Sunderland's treasured triumph over Leeds United, however, are arguably the finest ever witnessed - for two reasons.

Firstly, it was two saves in one.

And secondly, he completed the feat by foiling the man who, in his pomp, was feted as the hottest shot in the business - Peter "The Lash'' Lorimer.

With the second half in progress and Sunderland en route to causing one of the biggest upsets of all time through Ian Porterfield's 32nd-minute goal, Montgomery literally sprang into action at the double to preserve their lead.

Modest Monty's recollections scarcely do justice to the instinctive brilliance he displayed on that unforgettable May afternoon.

He recalled: "The cross came in from the right, Trevor Cherry was on the far post and nodded the ball across me and I just went across and parried it out.

"I saw Lorimer coming in and I just dived into the path of the ball. It hit my hand, went on to the bar and came out.

"He had two-thirds of the goal to aim at and I just thought, 'to hell, I'll dive at the open space'- and it came off.''

For Sunderland-born Montgomery, who made a record 623 senior appearances for his home-town club between 1962-77, eclipsing Don Revie's Leeds was the highlight of his playing days.

The sight of manager Bob Stokoe sprinting across the sodden Wembley turf to hug Montgomery on the final whistle, is another abiding memory of a magical occasion.

"I would say it was the best moment of my career, with the spectacle that the final is, especially with it being Wembley as opposed to the Millennium Stadium,'' said Montgomery.

"It was a fabulous day. We all thought it was something great for the club.

"All the lads from the '73 team are coming up for a dinner at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

"I'm still in touch with quite a few of the lads, Dave Watson, Bobby Kerr, Billy Hughes, Mickey Horswill and Ron Guthrie.

"We don't hear much from David Young, who is in Hampshire, but even he is coming up for the dinner.

"I don't think Bob is going to make it. He's not too well these days unfortunately.

"I watch a re-run of the final the odd time, usually if my daughter wants to watch it. Her husband is a Leeds fan!''

Montgomery's affection for his old club has undoubtedly waned over the years, which is hardly surprising considering he twice lost coaching posts at Roker Park.

At the time, he admitted he was "devastated'' when Peter Reid dispensed with his services as Director of Youth in the summer of 1995.

Reid, who only took charge three months earlier, had kept Sunderland in the First Division.

But now, following his sacking in October and that of Howard Wilkinson before Mick McCarthy's arrival in March, the Black Cats are back there after losing Premiership status for the second time.

"I've only seen them play twice,'' said Montgomery, now 59. "To be perfectly honest, it doesn't make any difference to me. I haven't had a great deal of interest; I just watch the results.

"I left my coaching job at Darlington at the end of last season and I'm just working for myself now. I'm working with school kids and youngsters, teaching them social skills and it partly involves football coaching as well.

"I wrote to Sunderland when Wilkinson was there, but he said there was nothing doing.''

There might not be room for Monty at the club anymore, but he will always have a place in the hearts of Sunderland fans.

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