On this day in 1964, Harry Hood signs for Sunderland

On this day in 1964, Harry Hood moves to Wearside…

Two years later, Sunderland’s poor start to the 1964/65 season now prompted action at boardroom level. Overtures were made to Rangers to sign former Scotland captain Eric Caldow, and when that approach was rejected by the Ibrox board, the Rokerites turned to Jock Stein’s Hibernian to agree a £36,000 fee for Irish international left-back John Parke.

Sunderland then headed due west to improve their attacking options by paying £26,000 to Clyde for their talented teenage forward Harry Hood.

A contract was duly signed on Monday, 9 November 1964, between Sunderland FC secretary Edward Marshall, on behalf of the club, and Henry Anthony Hood of 50 Gartons Road, Glasgow N1. Harry agreed “to play in an efficient manner and to the best of his ability for the club for the period of two years from that day until 30 June 1966.”

Harry would receive a £2,000 signing-on fee and his basic weekly wage would be £40, and there were financial incentives for finishing in the top six of the First Division and progression in the FA and League Cups, all based on appearances. Harry would also qualify for “talent money” at the rate of £20 per League point gained where he played and “normal match bonuses according to rules.” The contract was witnessed by Chief Scout, Charles Ferguson and offered the club an option of extending for a further two years from 30 June 1966.

Just 24 hours after putting pen to paper, Harry watched his new side in action for the first time, the League Cup providing a welcome diversion from the First Division struggle as the fourth-round draw sent Sunderland to Coventry on Tuesday, 10 November 1964.

Having already beaten two top-flight sides in West Ham United and Blackpool – with their combined trio of future World Cup-winners Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst and Alan Ball – Sunderland were favourites to dispose of Jimmy Hill’s Coventry City, newly promoted to the Second Division.

The tie would not go to script, however, the Sky Blues 4-0 up at Highfield Road before a second-half John O’Hare double put some semblance of respectability on the scoreline.

The following evening, back in North London, a Scottish international select beat Tottenham Hotspur 6-2 at White Hart Lane in a testimonial match for John White, the opening goal for the hosts scored by Hearts Tommy White, brother of the late Spurs and Scotland star.

Matt Corr

An extract from Harry Hood – Twice as Good by Matt Corr which is available now. £1 from every book sale will be donated to Marie Curie in memory of Harry as per the wishes of the Hood family.

On this day…1964

Having failed to agree terms with Jimmy McGrory at Celtic, Clyde’s star inside-forward Harry Hood signs for top-flight English outfit Sunderland.#sunderlandafc pic.twitter.com/XI6jH5AglM

— Harry Hood: Twice as good (@HarryHoodBook) November 9, 2021