A car for a £145 deposit, a tot of spirits for 15 pence and a ticket to the pictures for 54 pence. That’s what life was like the last time Sunderland played in Europe.
Look how much things have changed since SAFC took on Vasas Budapest in 1973 in the European Cup Winners Cup. You could get a jacket from Sgt Peppers for £6.50 and a suede handbag from Binns for £3.50.
You could watch the footy on the black and white TV you had just hired from Radio Rentals for £2.50 a month. It even had the latest in push button technology for you to change the channels.
And if you fancied something to eat, crackers were 14 pence, or you could buy a 4-pack of Rolos for 23 pence.
Tell us what you remember about Wearside life in 1973 and what you remember buying at the time.
Where did you go shopping for the weekly food and which pubs, clubs or restaurants did you prefer? Tell us all about 1973 life in Sunderland by emailing [email protected]
1. £145 deposit for a car
An almost new Hillman Hunter would have cost you £895 with a £145 deposit from Bridge Street Motors in 1973. These days, you could pay £35,000 for a one year old similar saloon. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2. 15 pence per drink
Admission to the Vestry in Fawcett Street was a bargain 30 pence and drinks were 15 pence a tot. A single shot of house spirit in a standard UK pub today typically costs between £3.50 and £5.50.
3. Suede handbags for £3.50
Quality suede handbags - with a suede lining - were on sale in Binns for £3.90. In modern UK, you could be paying more than £110 for the same product.
4. Move about Wearside on a moped
A Puch moped was available from Ivesons in Houghton in 1973. How about £90 for the moped, road tax, number plate and comprehensive insurance all thrown in. In 2026, Auto Trader was selling almost new mopeds with 1 mile on the clock for £2,999. (Photo by Larry Ellis/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images