​Although managing director Lawrie McMenemy was quoted on this day as saying “the transfer market is dead,” there was still plenty of other activity at Roker Park. While the playing squad wasn’t set for additions, a key back-room appointment arrived on July 7. Geoff Storey told Echo readers that the club expected Manchester City to follow up their interest in Barry Venison with a part-exchange offer involving two of their players, though it was assumed McMenemy would prefer the cash-only option being discussed by Sheffield Wednesday. Howard Wilkinson’s assistant Peter Eustace, a former Sunderland coach, had already been in contact with McMenemy, but the move now stalled due to a snag in another deal Wednesday were pursuing with Venison.
Sunderland could have used some funds to help regenerate the squad, prompting McMenemy to lament that “There is just no movement anywhere and I think it is a sign of the time when even players on free transfers are finding it difficult to get fixed up.” He did confirm the arrival of new club physiotherapist Steve Smelt, who had begun work on Wearside that morning ahead of the first-team’s preseason return the following day. Smelt, a former schoolteacher and a qualified physio with five years’ experience, had just left his post at cash-strapped Middlesbrough. Although Newcastle Breweries were rumored to be preparing a bid to save Ayresome Park, they were in serious danger of bankruptcy and were keen to shed costs, enabling the 36-year-old to move north and replace the outgoing Jimmy Goodfellow, who was returning to Wales to join Frank Burrows at Cardiff City.
Burrows, who had previously been part of McMenemy’s staff, was following in the footsteps of familiar names. Former Sunderland bosses Alan Durban and Len Ashurst had both managed at Ninian Park during the decade, and Goodfellow – also a former Sunderland boss – had his stint cut short by the invitation to return, a move that was timely as it spared him the trouble of relocating his family from the capital. The County Durham native had only been at Roker for seven months since succeeding Steve Mason in December 1985 and had previously played for McMenemy at Bishop Auckland. Mason, who had originally been Durban’s choice to replace the long-serving Johnny Watters when he retired in February 1983, chose to return to private practice, leaving with the club’s best wishes. His replacement, however, did not receive the warmest welcome from the man who brought him in, with McMenemy remarking at the time, “There are two types of physios – the medically trained and those who have been footballers – and I have worked with both sides. He may not be highly qualified, but he is bringing something we need.”