AN APPEARANCE from FA Cup winning Sunderland legend Jimmy Montgomery at the Academy of Light this week has provided a reminder to Jack Ross’ class of 2020 as they look to create their own little bit of history on Wearside.

That was the belief of Black Cats boss Ross when he spoke ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Accrington when his team will be looking to close the gap on the top two in League One, having headed into the international break with a defeat at Peterborough United - the biggest of his reign so far.

Success in the third tier of the English game might not rank anywhere near stunning Leeds United at Wembley in ’73 aided by Montgomery’s heroics between the sticks, but Sunderland’s current crop know that it would be a massive step towards rejuvenation and revival.

Monty, who remains an ambassador of the club, was invited down to watch training during the week when he mixed with players and staff at the training ground as preparations for today’s return to action increased.

And Ross, whose side suffered defeat on two appearances at Wembley last season in the Checkatrade Trophy and play-off final, said: “We had opportunity to be the first team since 1973 to win at the national stadium and if anything it (Montgomery’s appearance) reminds those players that it’s an opportunity to make themselves part of the folklore of this club, not just by winning at Wembley but being successful this season.

“Jim watched the goalkeepers, spoke with goalkeeper coach Craig Samson, I think it is important you strike a balance between acknowledging the history and not harking back to it all the time because you need to keep moving forward. You have to acknowledge the past though. It is nice Jim knows he can come and spend the day here with us.”

Ross is acutely aware of how starved Sunderland has been of success, with fans only able to dream of a repeat of the FA Cup glory these days. He is keen for his players to use that to drive them on, and if Montgomery can help then he will let him.

“I think the history is difficult to escape here because within the stadium and the training ground there are constant reminders of the past,” he said. “The depth of individual players’ knowledge of the history will probably vary but I think most of them will have a general awareness of who people are, especially those around the club on a regular basis.

“Most of the time you will find players do have a healthy respect for those who have achieved success in their careers because they recognise it’s not an easy thing to do. Winning silverware at any level is tough going and I think people who’ve played such a big part in the club’s folklore deserve to have that level of respect.”

Sunderland’s time in League One has made them a big fish at that level, having often found it hard to persuade top players to head to Wearside rather than London or the North-West when they were in the Premier League. The past is part of Ross’ selling technique, although not all of it.

He said: “When we pitch to bring players to the club there’s a lot about how we think we can make them better as players and how they can play a part in the progression we’re trying to make here as a club but there’s also the facilities we have here to help back that up, the fanbase and the history. You’re coming to a proper football club.

“Hopefully all these things come together in a perfect storm in terms of your ability to recruit players. It doesn’t always work but I would hope if there’s not a lot to differentiate between clubs from a financial point of view, you would hope that element helps attract players to the club.”