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Daily runs stadium special with aid of journalist who helped to build it

A regional daily ran a special edition celebrating a stadium one of its journalists helped to build.

The Sunderland Echo marked the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Stadium of Light, home to football club Sunderland AFC, with the souvenir.

The Echo was able to gain extra insight in pulling the edition together because Tony Gillan, who covers Washington and Jarrow for the Echo under the Facebook-funded Community News Project, was involved in the stadium’s construction.

Tony was information officer during the construction of the stadium, dealing with public enquiries into the project, and eventually became assistant stadium manager.

Sunderland anniversary

The Echo ran the edition, pictured above, 25 years to the day since the stadium’s opening.

Deputy editor Ross Robertson told HTFP: “Football is a huge part of what makes Sunderland tick and the Stadium of Light is naturally a major landmark in the city, absolutely buzzing on match days, so we felt it only appropriate to mark the occasion.

“The move from [Sunderland’s former stadium] Roker Park to the ‘SOL’ was an emotional one, and a bold look to the future not just of the football club but of the city as a whole.

“The ground was built on the site of the former Wearmouth Colliery, on a prominent spot overlooking the river, after Wearside had been so badly hit by the loss of both its major industries, the shipyards and the pits.”

Highlighting Tony’s role, Ross added: “He was able to give our readers his own unique insight into the building of the stadium, warts and all, as well as get in touch with key people involved – including civil engineer Dave Nicholson, who he dubbed ‘the man who built the stadium’.

“Readers have enjoyed reminiscing about the stadium over the years and sharing their memories with us – as well as some ideas for Mr Nicholson to come back and handle an expansion project as fans hope to see Sunderland return to the Premier League.”