Sunderland F.C.

About Sunderland F.C.

Founded as the Sunderland and District Teachers' AFC in 1879, before accepting members from other professions in 1880 and forming Sunderland AFC. In the early days of league football, the Wearsiders had a reputation as the country's premier club. Recruited by the Football League in 1890, Sunderland finished three of the next five seasons as First Division champions at fortress Roker Park . The Black Cats secured three more titles and an FA Cup before the end of their impressive 68-year tenure in the top flight in 1958. Flitting between the First and Second Divisions, Sunderland still found time to famously shock Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup final and the sight of manager Bob Stokoe racing across the Wembley turf to embrace goalkeeper Jim Montgomery remains an enduring image. Further promotion and relegation battles followed, and the club spent the 1987/1988 season in the Third Division. Peter Reid's appointment in 1995 and a move to the magnificent Stadium of Light two years later brought

fresh hope to the Sunderland faithful and a place in the Premiership was soon secured. Howard Wilkinson took over from Reid in October 2002 but was replaced by Mick McCarthy with nine games of the 2002/03 season remaining. The Black Cats were relegated but made a triumphant return to the top flight for the 2005/06 season, only to repeat the process over the next two campaigns.

The Stadium of Light has dominated Sunderland 's Premiership history just as it stands over the city's landscape. The state-of-the-art venue was a pipe dream for supporters when the new competition kicked off in 1992. Sunderland were a struggling Second Division outfit and facilities at Roker Park were insufficient for a successful top-flight club. Optimism was raised as foundations were laid at Wearmouth and the team responded. The Wearsiders set up a grand finale for weather-beaten Roker with promotion to the Premiership in 1996. But a century of football at the old arena ended in relegation after Peter Reid's side suffered a final-day defeat to Wimbledon . And a year on, Sunderland were pipped to promotion in their debut season at the new ground, losing a momentous Wembley play-off final to Charlton on penalties. The Stadium of Light's Premiership bow finally came in 1999, after the team bounced back with a decisive First Division title win. Kevin Phillips soon established himself as one of the most potent strikers in the top division and successive seventh-place finishes announced Sunderland 's arrival on the big stage. Reid left the club in October 2002 after seven successful years in charge, heralding a new era at the Stadium of Light. Former Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson was named as Reid's replacement, before Mick McCarthy was brought in for the final stages of the 2002/03 campaign. McCarthy was not able to prevent relegation and Phillips joined Southampton in August. The Black Cats fell just short of promotion the following year, losing on penalties to Crystal Palace in the play-off semi-final after finishing third in the regular season. But McCarthy was not to be denied in 2004/05. Led by the experienced Gary Breen, Sunderland secured 94 points as they were promoted as champions, seven points ahead of second-placed Wigan Athletic, with Marcus Stewart and Stephen Elliott bagging 31 goals between them. McCarthy parted company with the Black Cats in March 2006 with former midfield favourite Kevin Ball named caretaker boss until the end of the season, but he could not prevent relegation. However, under the stewardship of new boss Roy Keane and chairman Niall Quinn, an immediate return to the big time was secured as the Wearsiders again won the Coca-Cola Championship title.

Current squad

2007 - 2008 Sunderland Matches