This film is part of Free

Newsview Young World: Day in the Life of Sunderland AFC Manager George Hardwick

A day in the life of stylish “Gentleman George” Hardwick, the new manager of Sunderland Football Club.

News 1964 5 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for North East Film Archive

Overview

In 1964, at the start of a new season in the First Division, George Hardwick begins a brief stint as manager of Sunderland AFC, known affectionately today as the Black Cats. This news feature follows his working day at Roker Park, the football club’s home stadium. Brian Clough is also filmed training the youth team after an injury had cut short a promising playing career back in 1962.

Born in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Hardwick was a much admired defender with Middlesbrough FC and was the England football team’s first post-World War Two captain between 1946 and 1948. His time as Sunderland manager ended when he was sacked from his Ј6,000 a year job after 28 matches. A contemporary of Hardwick’s, the Preston and England winger Tom Finney described him as “football's Errol Flynn”.