EVEN the Newcastle Unitedsupporting Steve Bruce admits that he cheered Sunderland’s FA Cup Final win over Leeds United in 1973.

If Barrow were to defeat Sunderland this afternoon it would provide FA Cup romantics with the kind of giant-killing act that has become the competition’s stock in trade.

Bruce has described the world’s oldest football contest as being “magical” and if it can turn Magpies into Mackems, albeit for one day, then his description seems justified.

The Sunderland manager has never tried to hide his boyhood allegiance for the black and whites.

His openness from the day he took charge at the Stadium of Light that his family were dyed in the wool Newcastle fans has prevented it from becoming a distraction.

But the revelation that he and his family gathered around their television to cheer on Bob Stokoe’s team should earn him a few brownie points with Sunderland fans wary of anyone with Tyneside roots.

It is unlikely that football supporters would nowadays set aside their differences for the day and support a rival North-East team in the FA Cup.

Latterly, the Wear and Tyne battle lines have become even more entrenched than they were 37 years ago when the teenage Bruce was transfixed by the greatest upset in FA Cup history.

“Our club produced the biggest shock of all, to beat the mighty Leeds United in 1973,” he recalled. “It still reverberates all around the country.

“I remember as a kid watching it – the save from Jim Montgomery and how he got it away with his foot. It was complete one-way traffic.

“All the family, and this is true to God, were supporting Sunderland that day. My dad and all his mates used to alternate between watching Newcastle and Sunderland.

It’s sad now that society’s a bit different.”

Bruce will today field his strongest possible side, including 13-goal striker Darren Bent, to ensure Sunderland are not embarrassed by the Blue Square Premier side.

Successive league draws have lifted some of the pressure that was beginning to mount on the Sunderland manager after a string of disappointing results.

Following defeat at Manchester City last month Bruce reflected on Mark Hughes’ sacking and suggested that he could be the next managerial casualty if Sunderland’s results did not pick up.

Gary Megson’s dismissal from Bolton Wanderers this week ensured that Bruce’s prediction did not come true but he admits that defeat to Barrow would be unsettling.

“We have all been involved as a player or manger in a horrible one where an upset can happen.

“That is what we must guard against. We have seen it with the biggest clubs such as Manchester United losing at Bournemouth after being holders of the Cup. That is the magic of the competition,”

he noted.

Asked about the potential impact of losing to Barrow, Bruce said: “It will be very damaging. I haven’t got any thoughts of losing but if that does happen you’re up against it.

“We’re all like that, but I think all of us realise now that unless you’re Sir Alex or Arsene Wenger we’re all six weeks away from it (the sack). I think I’m in a fortunate position here with the people I work for.

“However, if the crowd turn on you it can change. It happened with Gary (Megson), and Big Sam up here (at Newcastle).

“They never really took to him for some reason, maybe the style of play.’’ Bruce hopes to have Steed Malbranque back in his squad but is expected to field the same team that took a 2- 2 draw from Blackburn Rovers last Monday.

He added: “I just read in one of the newspapers there’s been 68 managerial changes and 54 sackings in a year. It’s quite unbelievable isn’t it?

“It borders on being nonsensical.

“It just proves you don’t get the time you need. Alan Irvine was another one.

“He did wonders at Preston, he’s had a bad run of a few weeks. It baffles me, it really does.”