He scored again in an emotionally charged replay to send the Rokerites into a semi-final against Norwich which they won to set up a fantastic final against Liverpool.
Byrne should have scored again in the final – “13 minutes 20 seconds – not that I can remember it or anything” – but missed a gilt-edged chance to put Sunderland into the ascendancy.
John Byrne: “I will never forget it in my entire life.
“We got an open-topped bus ride for getting to the final and it was something that might have been a bit embarrassing for the lads because we didn’t feel we had anything to celebrate but then when you saw the crowds you realised why they had done it.
“It took forever to get along the road and by the time we got to Sunderland the crowds were incredible. I think there were one or two hangovers on the bus that day. It had been a late night drowning our sorrows and by the time we got on the bus I think we were ready to go again, to be honest!
“But I think it was ironically probably one of the biggest regrets of my life too because if we had the Cup with us it would have gone to another level really. I look at the game on Sunday and there is a little bit of jealousy there that this group of Sunderland players might get the chance to do that.
“It would be one heck of an experience for them if they managed to do it. I can’t imagine what the reception would be like in Sunderland.
“I had someone ask me if they could get me tickets the other day.
“I couldn’t believe it! I’m trying to get some for myself so why they thought I’d be able to get one... But it’s nice to be remembered, even if they are after Wembley tickets.
“What if I had scored on 13 minutes 20 seconds? Not that I’m counting of course but that’s where my video player always stops! Actually we played really, really well in that first half and opened them up a couple of times.
"We needed to take our opportunities and I fully admit that I should have scored mine really. I think after the first half they had a second wind and we never really got close to them.
“The second half was a bit of a cruel lesson for us really. You need to take your opportunities whoever you are playing against and I think they were still one of the best teams in the country at that time and they just passed the ball around us. We didn’t get much of a kick.
“I think Manchester City are obviously the favourites and probably rightly so as well but don’t write Sunderland off.
"With my Manchester United and Sunderland hats on I’m desperate for them to win it and do what we couldn’t quite do in 1992.”