Much like the 1970s, the 1980s proved to be a challenging time for Sunderland as a town.
Coal mining declined during the period with shipbuilding ending in 1988. The unemployment crisis rose to 20% of Mackems out of work in the mid-1980s.
However, Nissan car plant did open in 1986 and on the field, Sunderland reached a cup final the year before.
Scroll down to view these iconic, retro Sunderland AFC photos from the 80s – have any special memories or stories to tell? Get in touch.
However, Nissan car plant did open in 1986 and on the field, Sunderland reached a cup final the year before.
. SUNDERLAND AFC, 1984/85. SAFC old ref number sport 7 C453 New era under Len Ashurst Back from left: Peter Daniel, Rodger Wylde, Nick Pickering, Barry Venison; Middle: Gordon Chisholm, Colin West, Mark Prudhoe, Chris Turner, Gary Bennett, David Hodgson; Front: Clive Walker, Howard Gayle, Shaun Elliott, Ian Atkins, Steve Berry, Mark Proctor.
A new era dawns for under Len Ashurst during the 1984/85 season. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
. 1984
38-year-old Sunderland player Bryan 'Pop' Robson in action during Division One match against Leicester City at Filbert Street on May 12, 1984. Robson scored in a 2-0 win which saved the club from relegation. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
. 1987
Eric Gates in 1987. The Durham-born midfielder scored 46 league goals in 185 appearences before moving to Carlisle United in 1990. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
. 1985
Clive Walker pictured after scoring one of his two goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Milk Cup. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
. 1985
Sunderland goalkeeper Chris Turner in action on the plastic pitch of Loftus Road during a match against Queens Park Rangers in February, 1985. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
. 1981
Back from left: Tom Ritchie, Rob Hindmarch, Chris Turner, Alan Brown, Gordon Chisholm, Sam Allardyce; Middle row: Gary Rowell, John Cooke, John Hawley, Ian Bowyer, Steve Whitworth, Iain Munro; Front row: Kevin Arnott, Barry Dunn, Jeff Clarke, Mick Buckley, Joe Hinnigan. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
. 1985
Sunderland's Peter Daniels signals to teammates during a League Division One match against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in London. Queens Park Rangers won the match 1-0. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
. 1980
How many members of the Sunderland AFC 1980 squad can you name? Let us know on social media. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
5. 1981
Back from left: Tom Ritchie, Rob Hindmarch, Chris Turner, Alan Brown, Gordon Chisholm, Sam Allardyce; Middle row: Gary Rowell, John Cooke, John Hawley, Ian Bowyer, Steve Whitworth, Iain Munro; Front row: Kevin Arnott, Barry Dunn, Jeff Clarke, Mick Buckley, Joe Hinnigan. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
6. 1985
Sunderland's Peter Daniels signals to teammates during a League Division One match against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in London. Queens Park Rangers won the match 1-0. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
7. 1980
How many members of the Sunderland AFC 1980 squad can you name? Let us know on social media. | JPIMedia Photo: Sunderland Echo
8. 1985
Gordon Chisholm during a Division One match against Queens Park Rangers. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images