AN exhibition of memorabilia from two of the greatest days in Sunderland football history is to go an display earlier than planned.

Focusing on the Black Cats' FA Cup triumphs of 1937 and 1973, it features everything from Press cuttings, to pictures of crowd scenes, photographs of the goals, ticket stubs, match programmes, fans' regalia, and commemorative items produced to mark both victories.

The centrepiece of the display is a picture of the 1973 manager, Bob Stokoe, who died earlier this year aged 73.

The exhibition was due to be staged at the City Library and Arts Centre, in Fawcett Street, Sunderland, later in the year.

But with a memorial service arranged to mark Stokoe's achievements, to be staged at Sunderland Minster, on Wednesday, the timing of the display was brought forward.

City library operations manager Diane Dimmock said: "When we realised that there is going to be a civic memorial service to be held to coincide with the cup final anniversary, it made sense to re-time the show."

The exhibition, on the library's first floor, runs until the end of May.

The memorial service is at 3pm on Wednesday, the 31st anniversary of the Wembley triumph over Leeds.

A book of remembrance is available to be signed, alongside the FA Cup, in the minster, in High Street West, from noon to 2pm.

Published: 01/05/2004