Sunderland

Sunderland AFC

Ground: Stadium of Light

Capacity: 48,095

Club Founded: 1879

League: Premier League (current level)

While Sunderland AFC might no longer be termed the Bank of England Club, they continue their proud history in a fine stadium and play consistently at the top level of the game.

Sunderland AFC Club History

The Early Years

 

Sunderland AFC was formed on the 17th October 1879 as Sunderland District & Teachers Association Football Club, with the club playing their football at Newcastle Road. The club was big news from their formation and gained entry to the Football League in 1890, two years before the formation of their great rivals, Newcastle United. 

The first League title arrived on Wearside in the 1891-92 season, which also saw the team appear in a second FA Cup semifinal. The league title was retained the following campaign, with Sunderland denied a hat-trick as they ended as runners-up in 1893-94. 

More League Titles

However, they weren’t to be denied in 1994-95 as they collected their third League crown and reached the last four of the FA Cup once again. A challenge match on 27th April 1895 saw Sunderland beat Heart of Midlothian 5-3 to be crowned as ‘champions of the world’.

Manager Tom Watson resigned after the triumphs to join Liverpool, before the club moved to a new stadium at Roker Park in 1898. A fourth title was collected in 1901-02 under the management of Alex Mackie. In 1905, the club was involved in the first-ever £1,000 transfer fee, when Alf Common was signed from Middlesbrough. 

Roker Park in its prime - image taken from an online source

The North East's Number One

On the 5th December 1908, Sunderland travelled to the Tyne-Wear derby and defeated bitter rivals Newcastle United 9-1. Bob Kyle led the team to a fifth championship in 1912-13. The Rokerites also reached the FA Cup final but lost 1-0 to Aston Villa in front of a gate of 121,919 at Crystal Palace, with Charlie Buchan the goal-scoring hero of the day.

After finishing as League runners-up on a couple of occasions, the sixth title arrived at Roker Park in 1935-36 with Raich Carter and Bobby Gurney scoring thirty-one goals each. They both netted at Wembley in the FA Cup final, along with Eddie Burbanks in 1937, as Preston North End were defeated 3-1 by Sunderland.

The Bank of England Club

Following World War II, Sunderland made several big-money signings, including a world-record fee for Trevor Ford from Aston Villa, as they were termed ‘The Bank of England Club’. In 1957, an anonymous letter to the FA claimed that the club was making illegal payments to players. 

After an inquiry, manager Bill Murray departed, with the chairman and several directors receiving lifetime bans from the game. The club was relegated for the first time, regaining their top flight status in 1963-64. Another relegation led to the inspired appointment of Bob Stokoe as manager.

Huge FA Cup Shock

In 1972-73, Sunderland became the first-ever team from the second division to win the FA Cup as an Ian Porterfield goal and heroics from goalkeeper Jim Montgomery defeated red-hot favourites Leeds United at Wembley. The Rokerites went up, back down and then won promotion under Ken Knighton before the end of the decade.

Len Ashurst managed the team to the 1984-85 League Cup Final. A Gordon Chisholm own goal led to a 1-0 defeat to Norwich City at Wembley, with the team being relegated once more at the end of the season. It was a turbulent time at the club, with power battles over ownership between Tom Cowie and Bob Murray.

The McMenemy Disaster

Lawrie McMenemy arrived as manager in the summer of 1985, with several ex-international signings. The appointment was a disaster, with McMenemy resigning in March 1987, just before Sunderland hit their lowest point and were relegated to Division Three. Denis Smith was appointed as the new manager and took the team back to the second tier as champions.

Sunderland reached the playoff final after defeating Newcastle United. The final was lost 1-0 to Swindon Town at Wembley. However, top-flight football returned to Roker Park after Swindon were found to be in breach of financial irregularities. The spell back in Division One lasted just one season.

Roker Park's Main Stand - Image taken from an online source

A New Stadium Dawns

Malcolm Crosby was in charge of the team that lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the 1991-92 FA Cup final. Managers came and went before Peter Reid was appointed in 1995, after saving the side from relegation. The following season, Reid’s team won the renamed Division One and took up their place in the Premier League, but the spell lasted just one season.

Sunderland moved to the new, magnificent Stadium of Light, a few hundred yards from Roker Park, in the summer of 1997, on the former site of the Monkwearmouth Colliery, as the old ground proved unsustainable to adapt to all-seater status. 

Great Times at the Stadium of Light

In their first season in their new surroundings, Sunderland reached the play-off final at Wembley, as Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips formed a prolific partnership. In an amazing final, they eventually lost out on penalties after the game against Charlton Athletic ended 4-4 after extra time. The team went up as champions the following season.

On their return to the Premier League, Sunderland narrowly missed out on European football. The run began to fade, and in 2002-03, the team went down after three managers had spells in charge. In 2004-05, ‘The Black Cats’ won the re-christened Championship and returned to the Premier League under manager Mick McCarthy.

My drawing of Roker Park, club crests, and team kits.
Click on the images for enlarged views.

New Owners and a Wembley Final

After Sunderland were relegated once more, Roy Keane arrived at The Stadium of Light in August 2006, and took the team up as champions in May 2007. American tycoon Ellis Short bought the club from the Drumaville Consortium, headed by Niall Quinn, and appointed Steve Bruce as the new team boss. Bruce was replaced by the popular Martin O'Neill.

The Northern Irishman was succeeded by Italian Paulo Di Canio, whose methods quickly became unpopular with the players. Gus Poyet was appointed to replace him. His side escaped relegation and reached the 2013-14 League Cup final, where they went down 3-1 to Manchester City at Wembley.

Back to the Second Tier

Former Holland and Rangers boss Dick Advocaat came in to oversee a remarkable recovery to save the side from relegation a couple of seasons later, before Sam Allardyce and the team performed similarly, helped by Jermaine Defoe's goals. Allardyce departed in July 2016 to become England manager, following their disastrous Euro 16 campaign. 

David Moyes was appointed in his place on a four-year contract. His side was relegated. Sunderland appointed Preston North End boss Simon Grayson as their new manager. He lasted a matter of months before Chris Coleman replaced him

The Nadir is Reached

A disastrous season saw Sunderland relegated, spawning the documentary ‘Sunderland Til I Die’, capturing the shambolic happenings for the Netflix series. Ross Jack was appointed as manager after the final game. The Scotsman took the side to the League One playoffs in 2018-19, where Charlton Athletic won the final.

New owners galvanised support before quickly losing it. Phil Parkinson and then Lee Johnson were appointed manager. Charlie Wyke top-scored as the side reached the 2020-21 playoffs, where they lost in the semifinals to Lincoln City.

New Ownership - New Hope

In February 2021, French-Swiss businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus bought substantial shares in the club to become chairman, and more were purchased in June 2022 to become the majority shareholder. Alex Neil was appointed as manager in February 2022. 

Ross Stewart's goals helped the Wearsiders to the playoffs, where Wycombe Wanderers were defeated, with the goals in the 2-0 Wembley win being scored by Elliot Embleton and Stewart. Tony Mowbray replaced Neil in August 2022, as the Black Cats once again reached the playoffs. This time, Luton Town proved too strong in the semifinals. 

Recent Seasons

Mowbray was surprisingly replaced by Michael Beale in December 2023 in a disastrous move. The new manager had gone within months, with league form dipping dramatically. New manager Régis Le Bris arrived in June 2024, and his young, talented side defeated Sheffield United in the playoff final to return to the Premier League.

Sunderland surprised many on their return, qualifying for the Europa League for the following season.

My visits

Sunderland 1 Hull City 1

Division Two - Saturday 12th October 1985

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I visited Sunderland at Roker Park twice, the first time in 1985, for a Division Two encounter. It was a pleasant Saturday afternoon, and I went on a coach with City fans from Scarborough, Bridlington, and Filey. I had looked forward to visiting Roker as it was as big an away game as the Tigers had that season. 

We parked with the other coaches on Roker Sea Front and were escorted up to the ground through the busy streets of fans. It was trouble-free, which, while a relief, was no great surprise, as we'd heard of Sunderland fans being generally OK. We were placed in the right-hand section of the Roker End. 

The Roker End - Image from an online source

The Fulwell End behind the other goal was a hump of terracing covered by a huge roof with the words "Welcome to Sunderland" picked out in red writing on white plates along the back wall. City gave as good as they got and drew the game 1-1, with the goal coming from Billy Whitehurst, who would later have a spell on Wearside.

Sunderland 1 Hull City 0

Division Two - Saturday 13th September 1986

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I made a similar journey the following season. Lawrie MacMenemy was 'The Black Cats' boss in his second season in charge, in what was meant to be an appointment that changed the club. It certainly did, as he took them down to the Third Division at the end of the season, causing the club severe financial troubles. 

Too many over-the-hill players on big-money contracts, not to mention his own enormous remuneration, were the issue. It was quipped at the time by comedian Jimmy Tarbuck that Lawrie and the Titanic had a lot in common, as neither should have left Southampton, while fans nicknamed him Lawrie Mackem Enemy.

The previous Tuesday, Sunderland had lost 4-2 at home to bottom-division York City in the League Cup, reflecting the gate for my visit. Somehow, the Mackems won 1-0 in a game that Gary Ablett made his City debut on loan from Liverpool to gain some Football League experience. Remarkably, full-back Frank Gray had scored for Sunderland on both my visits.

Sunderland 1 Stoke City 0

Premier League - Wednesday 29th February 2014

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Although my Dad had been inside Roker Park for FA Cup matches in the 60s against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United with attendances of over 60,000, he’d never been to the Stadium of Light. I also needed to visit on my quest to complete the ninety-two grounds.

We nearly went a couple of seasons earlier, but the date for the match against West Bromwich Albion was moved for TV. I set about planning after speaking with my Durham-based good pal Phil, who I’d been to many cricket matches with over the years. 

The game was scheduled for Tuesday evening, so we booked The Angel Hotel in Whitby, a new Wetherspoon hotel, for Wednesday on the way back to Scarborough. All was going to plan until the weekend before the match, when I realised the game had been delayed for 24 hours because Stoke City were playing in the late FA Cup game on the Sunday. 

This needed some serious re-planning. We were to stay at the pristine new Travelodge in Sunderland city centre on the Tuesday. I managed to cancel our room in Whitby, book alternative accommodation in Newcastle after the game, and get cheap connecting trains. 

Dad joined me on the Grand Central train at York, which took us up the coast via Hartlepool and directly to Sunderland. The weather was wild, but we still went on a walk around the stadium to take some photos, before taking a brisk walk along Roker beach and past where soulless new housing stood, where once huge crowds entered Roker Park. 

After a nice meal, we met with my mate Phil for beers to watch the Merseyside derby on TV in the Sunderland National Reserve Club. On match day, we enjoyed a walk along the extremely blustery coast road from Whitley Bay to beautiful Tynemouth before booking into the tired Travelodge near Newcastle Quayside and heading down to Wearside after tea. 

Phil had started early, so we met him at a pub he was desperate to show us. The Isis on Silksworth Row on the edge of the city centre was absolutely superb, with ten hand pumps stocking the Jarrow Brewery range. The pub had been tastefully restored, which was quite fitting as it stood opposite waste ground once occupied by Vaux Brewery. 

The pints of Rivet Catcher were gratefully supped in the lovely hospitality of Phil’s pals before he ordered a taxi to take us to the match. His hospitality continued as our tickets were handed over as gifts. 

Dad had to go inside and wait for us, while we waited for Snowdrop, another Durham lad, and had to go in at the far end before making our way around the inner concourse to all meet up in any four spare seats we could find. I purchased an excellent programme in a plastic bag with an additional pull-out inside. It was well worth £3. 

Unfortunately, the crowds inside were huge. By the time we got to where Dad had gone, it was near kick-off. He panicked and went to his allocated seat. This was fine, but we didn't have a clue where it was. I had terrible visions of having to get an announcement made that a forty-eight-year-old had lost his Dad! I phoned him once the PA system had died down, and we agreed to meet up at the interval.

I took stock of the Stadium of Light properly for the first time. We were in the front row of the South Stand. The atmosphere was excellent as the game began, with the Black Cat fans showing real passion as the team looked to climb out of the bottom three. 

Sunderland showed plenty of pace and quality early on in the game, and it came as no surprise when Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic split a Sebastian Larsson for Adam Johnson to follow up before he cleverly went round the goalie and slotted in from a narrow angle.

Gradually, Stoke found their feet and grew into the game before dominating possession for a spell. They went close with a rasping shot before Vito Mannone saved from a Ryan Shawcross diving header when he should have really scored, much to the disappointment of the 500 or so travelling fans high up behind the goal.

At halftime, we went to the concourse to meet with Dad, whom I was relieved to see. For the second half, we all sat together in the front row. While it didn’t offer a great view down the pitch, we saw and heard plenty of action as the tackles flew in and the Sunderland rearguard did their best to retain their lead.

Sunderland were relying on attacking on the break to relieve pressure, and their task was helped when Steven N’Zonzi was sent off when he collected a second yellow card for bringing down the bumbling lone forward Jozy Altidore, by the excellent referee Bobby Madley. This should have meant the task was easier, but after a spell of control, City grabbed the initiative once more.

Debutant Peter Odemwingie had a chance to equalise, but the closest they came to grabbing anything from the game came when a Shawcross header hit the top of the bar late on. Some of the defending was frantic, and the home fans weren’t short of advice. Wes Brown had a fine game marshalling his troops throughout as Gus Poyet’s men hung on.

Our pals said goodbye to catch their lift home, while we watched stoppage time on the TVs under the stand so we wouldn’t be stuck in the crowds. News of Manchester City’s 5-1 win at Spurs caused plenty of oohs and aahs. We rushed to St Peter's Metro station, but the stewards told us that we needed to head to the main station over the bridge. 

This was no hardship, and we were quite surprised to see some fans waiting for a train there. All worked out perfectly as we caught a fast Northern Trains service that only stopped once, all the way to Newcastle, past the packed crowds waiting on the Stadium of Light station platform. 

We had intended to go to The Union Rooms pub when we returned to watch Match of the Day, but the pub was freezing. Instead, we decided to relax in style in one of our favourite Wetherspoon houses, the excellent Mile Post. It was an eye-opener walking back to the hotel with a pizza at closing time past gangs of youngsters queuing for bars and clubs at 12.45 on a school night!

An excellent train journey after breakfast the following morning rounded off a wonderful couple of days in great company and with top-class hospitality while being around great, genuine people.