Peter Reid claims Sunderland's 1996-97 Premier League campaign came with immense pressure to succeed after winning promotion. The Black Cats finished top of the old first division the season prior, and with the club building the Stadium of Light, knew staying in the Premier League would be vital to protect jobs.
The Wearsiders were unable to stave off relegation but would move into their new home in 1997. Reid pays tribute to the red and white faithful for packing the ground out despite the disappointing campaign.
Speaking to Kammy and Ben's Proper Football Podcast, Reid said: "Playing football is the best thing in the world. Managing comes - it's not like playing football. Managing is enjoyable but when you get beat as a manager you've got that much - when I went to Sunderland they did a documentary Premier Passions and they were building a new stadium - the pressure to stay up was immense.
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"Not just through football but people's jobs. I felt that. Maybe it's the socialist in me, which I'm proud to say. I believe in working hard and getting money but I believe in spreading your money around. That's the way I am.
"I'm always thinking about that side of it. The football side is so important, keeping that Premiership money is so important. I kept looking at that side - if we don't stay up, there's people who are going to lose their jobs.
"It's a big responsibility and we went down. God love them, the people of Sunderland are fantastic. They come into the new stadium and packed it in league two - the Championship now - I'm thinking what an area this is.
"By the way, I love Newcastle as well, Middlesbrough, I just think the North East - the rivalry is brutal - but it's great. They're really top people and it got to me which is good. I'm nearly crying here.
"That's the way it should be because football is emotional. Football is about people."
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