Sunderland A.F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}} {{About|the men's football club|the women's football club|Sunderland A.F.C. Women}} {{Redirect|SAFC}} {{pp-semi-indef}} {{Use British English|date=January 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Sunderland | image = Logo Sunderland.svg | upright = 1.05 | fullname = Sunderland Association Football Club | short name = SAFC, Sunderland | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1879}}<br />(as ''Sunderland and District Teachers'') | owner = Kyril Louis-Dreyfus (64%)<br/>Juan Sartori (36%)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2023/may/club-statement-shareholder-update |title=Club Statement |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C. |date=27 May 2023 |access-date=12 December 2023 |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126020807/https://safc.com/news/club-news/2023/may/club-statement-shareholder-update |url-status=live }}</ref> | chairman = Kyril Louis-Dreyfus | manager = Régis Le Bris | mgrtitle = Head coach | nickname = {{ubl|The Black Cats|Mackems (supporters)}} | ground = Stadium of Light | capacity = 49,000 | league = {{English football updater|Sunderld}} | season = {{English football updater|Sunderld2}} | position = {{English football updater|Sunderld3}} | current = 2025–26 Sunderland A.F.C. season | pattern_la1 =_sunderland2526h | pattern_b1 = _sunderland2526h | pattern_ra1 = _sunderland2526h | pattern_sh1 =_sunderland2526h | pattern_so1 =_whitetop | leftarm1 =ff0000 | body1 =ff0000 | rightarm1 =ff0000 | shorts1 =000000 | socks1 =ff0000 | pattern_la2 = | pattern_b2 = _sunderland2526a | pattern_ra2 = | pattern_sh2 = _sunderland2526a | pattern_so2 = _sunderland2526al | leftarm2 = 0044ff | body2 = 0044ff | rightarm2 = 0044ff | shorts2 = ffffff | socks2 = 0044ff | pattern_la3 = | pattern_b3 =_sunderland2526t | pattern_ra3 = | pattern_sh3 =_sunderland2526t | pattern_so3 =_sunderland2526tl | leftarm3 =000000 | body3 =000000 | rightarm3 =000000 | shorts3 = 000000 | socks3 = 000000 | website = {{URL|https://safc.com/}} }}

'''Sunderland Association Football Club''' is a professional football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of the English football league system.

Formed in 1879, the club has won six top-flight titles (1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, and 1936) in the First Division, and finished runners-up five times. The club has also won the FA Cup twice (1937 and 1973), and been runners-up twice (1913 and 1992), and won the FA Charity Shield in 1936. They were also Football League Cup finalists in 1985 and 2014.

Nicknamed the Black Cats, Sunderland play home games at the 49,000-capacity Stadium of Light, having moved from Roker Park in 1997. The club has a fierce long-standing rivalry with nearby Newcastle United, with whom the Tyne–Wear derby has been contested since 1898. They play in red and white-striped shirts and black shorts.

==History== {{main|History of Sunderland A.F.C.}} {{For|a statistical breakdown by season|List of Sunderland A.F.C. seasons}} thumb|left|Team photo taken in 1884

===Early years and the "Team of All Talents" (1879–1908)=== The club was founded as Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C. by schoolmaster James Allan in what has commonly been believed to be October 1879.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.safc.com/history/beginnings|title=Beginnings|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=6 April 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406231546/https://www.safc.com/history/beginnings|url-status=live}}</ref> However, evidence suggests that the club was not formally created until a year later, on 25 September 1880.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestatcat.co.uk/Article1.aspx|title=Sunderland AFC – Statistics, History and Records|website=www.thestatcat.co.uk|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> It was renamed as Sunderland A.F.C. and became open to more than just school teachers in October 1880.<ref name="auto"/>

[[File:John Middleton Campbell.jpg|thumb|left|John Campbell, a part of the "Team of All Talents", and league top scorer in Sunderland's first three titles.]] Sunderland joined The Football League for the 1890–91 season.<ref name="History" /> Tom Watson became Sunderland's first manager when he was appointed in 1888.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/history/?page_id=2997|title=Past Managers 1889–1939|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=6 January 2009}}</ref> During the late 19th century, they were declared the "Team of All Talents" by William McGregor,<ref name="Days21">Days, p. 21.</ref> the founder of the league, after a 7–2 win against Aston Villa.<ref name="Days21" /> Sunderland won the league championship in the 1891–92 season, one season after joining The Football League, and this performance led ''The Times'' to describe the players as "a wonderfully fine team".<ref name="TheTimes">Days, pp. 29–30.</ref> Sunderland successfully defended the title the following season, aided by their Scottish centre forward John Campbell, who broke the 30-goal mark for the second time in consecutive seasons. In the process, they became the first team to score 100 goals in a season, a feat not matched until 1919–20.

Sunderland came close to winning a third successive league championship in the 1893–94 season, finishing second behind Aston Villa. However, they regained the title in the 1894–95 season, with Campbell becoming league top scorer for the third time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2016/7/20/12222208/sunderland-s-first-great-centre-forward|title=Sunderland's First Great Centre Forward|date=20 July 2016|last=Callaghan|first=Richard|website=Roker Report|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009204004/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2016/7/20/12222208/sunderland-s-first-great-centre-forward|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunderland then beat Scottish champions Heart of Midlothian in a game described as the "World Championship" match.<ref>Days, pp. 35–36.</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/apr/25/even-when-sunderland-ruled-the-globe-club-world-cups-were-controversial|title=Sunderland's Victorian all-stars blazed trail for money's rule of football|website=The Guardian|author=Jonathan Wilson|date=25 April 2020|access-date=16 May 2020|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302125112/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/apr/25/even-when-sunderland-ruled-the-globe-club-world-cups-were-controversial|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2 September 2019|title=When Sunderland met Hearts in the first ever 'Champions League' match|url=https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-5/when-sunderland-met-hearts-in-the-first-ever-champions-league-match/|access-date=19 February 2021|website=Nutmeg Magazine|language=en-GB|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713130057/https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/issue-5/when-sunderland-met-hearts-in-the-first-ever-champions-league-match/|url-status=live}}</ref> Their goalkeeper Ned Doig set a 19th-century world record by not conceding any goals in 87 of his 290 top division appearances (30%).<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 April 2018|title=History: Curiosities of World Football (1891–1900)|url=https://iffhs.de/history-curiosities-of-world-football-1891-1900|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827225306/https://iffhs.de/history-curiosities-of-world-football-1891-1900/|archive-date=27 August 2019|access-date=5 July 2020|website=IFFHS}}</ref> From 1886 until 1898, Sunderland's home ground was in Newcastle Road.<ref>Days, p. 44.</ref> In 1898, the club moved to what would become their home for almost a century, Roker Park.<ref name="rokerpark">Days, pp. 45–46.</ref> Initially the ground had a capacity of 30,000.<ref name="rokerpark"/>

After taking Sunderland to three English League championship titles manager Watson resigned at the end of the 1895–96 season, in order to join Liverpool.<ref name="p39">Days, p. 39.</ref> Robert Campbell replaced him.<ref name="p39"/> Campbell did not achieve the same playing success as Watson, as Sunderland failed to win any titles in his three seasons at the club.<ref>Days, p. 45.</ref>

Scotsman Alex Mackie replaced Campbell as manager for the 1899 season.<ref name=":2">Days, pp. 55–56.</ref> Following a second-place finish in 1900–01, the club won their fourth league title in the 1901–02 season,<ref name=":2" /> and followed this up with victory in the Sheriff of London Charity Shield.<ref>Days, pp. 59–60.</ref>

In December 1902, Arthur Bridgett joined Sunderland. He went on to captain the "Black Cats" for ten years and gain eleven England caps, making him the club's second most-capped England international behind Dave Watson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.englandstats.com/club.php?cid=104|title=England Players from Sunderland|access-date=19 January 2020|website=englandstats.com|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209212144/https://englandstats.com/club.php?cid=104|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Further league championship titles (1908–1945)=== thumb|left|Sunderland's 1937 FA Cup winning side On 5 December 1908, Sunderland achieved their highest ever league win, 9–1 against north-east rivals Newcastle United.<ref>Days, pp. 73–76.</ref> Under Irish manager Bob Kyle and with Scottish Charles Thomson as captain, the club won the league again in 1913,<ref>Days, pp. 85–86.</ref> but lost their first FA Cup final 1–0 to Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=257177|title=English FA Cup&nbsp;— Final 1913|website=Soccerbase|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050222213709/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=257177|archive-date=22 February 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Two seasons later the First World War brought the league to a halt. After the league's resumption, Sunderland came close to winning another championship in the 1922–23 season, when they were runners-up to Liverpool.<ref>Days, pp. 107–108.</ref> They also came close the following season, finishing third.<ref>Days, pp. 111–112.</ref> The club escaped relegation from the First Division by one point in the 1927–28 season despite 35 goals from Dave Halliday. Halliday improved his goal scoring to 43 goals in 42 games the following season,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ross|first=James M.|date=20 June 2019|title=English League Leading Goalscorers|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engtops.html|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116125042/http://rsssf.com/tablese/engtops.html|url-status=live}}</ref> an all-time Sunderland record for goals scored in a single season.<ref name="History">{{Cite web |url=http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0,,10281,00.html |title=Club History |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406232607/http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/ClubHistoryDetail/0,,10281,00.html |archive-date=6 April 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The club's sixth league championship came in the 1935–36 season under Scottish manager Johnny Cochrane.<ref>Days, pp. 139–140.</ref> They scored 109&nbsp;goals during the season, with Raich Carter and Bobby Gurney each scoring 31.<ref>Days, pp. 139–142.</ref> They followed this by winning the Charity Shield against FA Cup winners Arsenal.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Ross|first=James M.|date=5 August 2019|title=England – List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engsupcuphist.html|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305035734/http://rsssf.com/tablese/engsupcuphist.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite winning the league, the season did not go without tragedy. The young goalkeeper of the team, Jimmy Thorpe, died as a result of being kicked after he had picked up the ball following a backpass against Chelsea. He continued to take part until the match finished, but collapsed at home and died in hospital four days later.<ref name="Goalkeeper's Death">{{cite news|title=Goalkeeper's Death|url=http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1936-02-14-16-001&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1936-02-14-16|website=The Times|date=14 February 1936}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> This incident led to a change in the rules, whereby players were no longer allowed to raise their foot to a goalkeeper when he had control of the ball in his arms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2006/10/04/soinve04.xml|title=On the run with dogs and a long-dead goalkeeper|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311055415/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2006%2F10%2F04%2Fsoinve04.xml|last=Inverdale|first=John|website=The Telegraph|archive-date=11 March 2007|access-date=5 July 2020}}</ref>

They won the FA Cup the following season, after a 3–1 victory against Preston North End at Wembley Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2493&season_id=66&teamTabs=results|title=Sunderland Results 1936/37|website=Soccerbase|access-date=1 December 2018|archive-date=2 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202033240/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2493&season_id=66&teamTabs=results|url-status=live}}</ref> Some football was still played during the Second World War as a morale boosting exercise, in the form of the Football League War Cup. Sunderland were finalists in the tournament in 1942.<ref>Days, p. 154.</ref>

==="The Bank of England" club, financial troubles and three cup finals (1945–1995)=== thumb|right|Ian Porterfield's winning goal in the 1973 FA Cup Final For Sunderland, the immediate post-war years were characterised by significant spending; the club paid £18,000 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|18000|1949|r=-3}}|0}} today) for Carlisle United's Ivor Broadis in January 1949.{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} Broadis was also Carlisle's manager at the time, and this is the first instance of a player transferring himself to another club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1904999.broadis_still_bubbling_along_at_85/|title=Broadis still; bubbling along at 85|last=Amos|first=Mike|date=14 December 2007|website=The Northern Echo|access-date=19 September 2008|archive-date=12 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812134320/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1904999.broadis_still_bubbling_along_at_85/|url-status=live}}</ref> This, along with record-breaking transfer fees to secure the services of Len Shackleton and the Welsh international Trevor Ford, led to a contemporary nickname, the "Bank of England club".<ref>Days, pp. 169–170.</ref> The club finished third in the First Division in 1950,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1949-50.html|title=Season 1949–50|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|last=Felton|first=Paul|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727201340/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1949-50.html|url-status=live}}</ref> their highest finish since the 1936 championship.

The late 1950s saw a sharp downturn in Sunderland's fortunes, and the club was once again implicated in a major financial scandal in 1957.<ref name="mackie">Days, p. 63.</ref> Found guilty of making payments to players in excess of the maximum wage, they were fined £5,000 (£{{formatnum:{{Inflation|UK|5000|1957|r=-3}}}} today), and their chairman and three directors were suspended.{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}<ref>Days, pp. 183–184.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa/pfa-history/the-jimmy-hill-years-pfa-chairman-1957-1961|title=The Jimmy Hill Years: PFA Chairman 1957–1961|website=Professional Footballers' Association|last=Harding|first=John|date=1 May 2007|access-date=4 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915053426/http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa/pfa-history/the-jimmy-hill-years-pfa-chairman-1957-1961|archive-date=15 September 2010}}</ref> The following year, Sunderland were relegated from the highest division for the first time in their 68-year league history.<ref>Days, p. 187.</ref> Sunderland's absence from the top flight lasted six years. After a close call in the previous season, the club was promoted to Division One in 1964 after finishing in second place. At the end of the decade, they were again relegated to the Second Division after finishing 21st.<ref>Days, pp. 217–218.</ref>

thumb|right|upright|The homecoming open top bus parade after victory in the 1973 FA Cup final Sunderland won their last major trophy in 1973, in a 1–0 victory over Don Revie's Leeds United in the FA Cup Final.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shocks Do Happen|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/HistoryOfTheFACup/1973SunderlandLeeds|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329082442/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/HistoryOfTheFACup/1973SunderlandLeeds|archive-date=29 March 2010|access-date=5 July 2020|website=The FA}}</ref> A Second Division club at the time, Sunderland won the game thanks mostly to the efforts of their goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery.<ref name="1973FACupfinal">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/12/FACup_200304_3R_Montgomery.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20041211150904/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/12/FACup_200304_3R_Montgomery.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2004|title=Monty wanting more heroics|author=Richard Morgan|date=31 December 2003|website=The FA|access-date=28 November 2008}}</ref> Ian Porterfield scored a volley in the 30th minute to beat Leeds and take the trophy.<ref name="1973FACupfinal"/> Since 1973 only two other clubs, Southampton in 1976,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Classic Cup Finals: 1976|url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/HistoryOfTheFACup/1976SouthamptonManUnited|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329082747/http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/HistoryOfTheFACup/1976SouthamptonManUnited|archive-date=29 March 2010|access-date=5 July 2020|website=The FA}}</ref> and West Ham United in 1980,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2296500/Ledley-volley-sends-Cardiff-City-to-FA-Cup-final.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2296500/Ledley-volley-sends-Cardiff-City-to-FA-Cup-final.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ledley volley sends Cardiff City to FA Cup final|author=Henry Winter|date=7 April 2008|website=The Telegraph|access-date=28 November 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> have equalled Sunderland's achievement of lifting the FA Cup while playing outside the top tier of English football.

By winning the FA Cup, Sunderland qualified for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the club's only appearance in European competition to date.<ref name="Euro">{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec197374.html|title=European Competitions 1973–74|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|last=Ross|first=James M.|date=4 June 2015|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-date=6 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006070450/http://www.rsssf.com/ec/ec197374.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They beat Vasas Budapest but then lost on aggregate to Sporting of Portugal in the second round.<ref name="Euro"/> After spending six seasons in the Second Division, Sunderland were promoted to Division One in the 1975–76 season, but were relegated again the following season, despite a late-season comeback which saw them win two matches 6–0 and 6–1.<ref name="GuardianJoyOfSix">{{Cite web |title=The Joy of Six: last-day relegation battles |last=Smyth |first=Rob |work=The Guardian |date=11 May 2012 |access-date=17 May 2021 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/may/11/joy-of-six-relegation-battles |archive-date=10 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510143842/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/may/11/joy-of-six-relegation-battles |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sunderland appeared in their first League Cup final in 1985, but lost 1–0 to Norwich City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html|title=England League Cup Full Results 1960–1996|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|last=Abbink|first=Dinant|date=28 March 2008|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=27 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227232525/http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/engleagcuphistfull.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1987, Sunderland saw one of the lowest points in their history, when they were relegated to the Third Division of the English league for the first time.<ref>Days, pp. 265–266.</ref> Under new chairman Bob Murray and new manager Denis Smith, the club was promoted the following season.<ref>Days, pp. 269–270.</ref> In 1990, they were promoted back to the top flight in unusual circumstances, losing to Swindon Town in the play-off final, but Swindon's promotion was revoked after the club was found guilty of financial irregularities and Sunderland were promoted instead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/3976405.stm|title=Football fan's 1,000 game milestone|author=Chris Kelly|date=4 November 2004|website=BBC News|access-date=10 May 2011|archive-date=30 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630231728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/3976405.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> They stayed up for one year before being relegated on the final day of the following season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1990-91.html|title=Season 1990–91|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|last=Felton|first=Paul|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=13 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513064425/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/fla/1990-91.html|url-status=live}}</ref> thumb|right|upright|Peter Reid was appointed Sunderland manager in 1995, and served until 2002 Sunderland's next outing in a major final came in 1992 when, as a Second Division club, they returned to the FA Cup final. There was to be no repeat of the heroics of 1973, as Sunderland lost 2–0 to Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1992.htm |title=Liverpool 2 Sunderland 0 |website=FA Cup Finals |access-date=8 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023204315/http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1992.htm |archive-date=23 October 2007 }}</ref>

===New stadium, promotions and relegations (1995–2006)=== In 1995, they faced the prospect of a return to the third-tier of English football.<ref>Days, pp. 291–292.</ref> Peter Reid was brought in as manager, and quickly turned things around. Reid's time in charge had a stabilising effect; he remained manager for seven years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1031|title=Peter Reid's managerial career|website=Soccerbase|access-date=20 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124052357/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1031|archive-date=24 November 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> After promotion from Division One in the 1995–96 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1995-96.html|title=England 1995/96|website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|last=Felton|first=Paul|date=22 July 2001|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727201301/https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1995-96.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunderland began their first season in the Premier League, but finished third from the bottom and were relegated back to the First Division.

In 1997, Sunderland left Roker Park<ref>{{cite web|date=11 August 2014|title='I Left My Heart In Roker Park' – Roker Report Meets Paul Dunn|url=https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/11/5990401/i-left-my-heart-at-roker-park-roker-report-meets-paul-dunn|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Roker Report|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024213732/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/11/5990401/i-left-my-heart-at-roker-park-roker-report-meets-paul-dunn|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lathan|first=Peter|date=2004|title=I Left My Heart in Roker Park... (And Extra Time at the Stadium of Light)|url=https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/rokerpark-rev|access-date=13 August 2020|website=British Theatre Guide|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926135337/https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/rokerpark-rev|url-status=live}}</ref> and moved to the Stadium of Light, a 42,000-seat arena that, at the time, was the largest stadium built in England after the Second World War.<ref name="SOL">{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/club/stadium-of-light |title=Stadium of Light |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=1 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701133122/http://www.safc.com/club/stadium-of-light |url-status=live }}</ref> The capacity was later increased to 49,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/clubs/profile.stadium.html/sunderland |title=Club Profile &#124; Sunderland |website=Premier League |access-date=17 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208114958/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/clubs/profile.stadium.html/sunderland |archive-date= 8 February 2012}}</ref>

Sunderland returned to the Premier League as First Division champions in 1999 with a then-record 105 points.<ref>Days, p. 312.</ref> At the end of the season Sunderland finished seventh, with Kevin Phillips winning the European Golden Shoe in his first top-flight season, scoring 30 goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/856691.stm|title=Phillips nets Golden prize|date=29 July 2000|website=BBC Sport|access-date=2 November 2008|archive-date=15 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015015850/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/856691.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another seventh-place finish in the 2000–01 season was followed by two less successful seasons, and they were relegated to the second-tier with a then-record low 19 points in 2003.<ref name="History" /><ref name="recent">{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/page/sunderland|title=Club Profile|website=Premier League|access-date=20 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509075844/http://www.premierleague.com/page/sunderland|archive-date=9 May 2008}}</ref> Former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy took over at the club, and, in 2005, he took Sunderland up as champions for the third time in less than 10 years.<ref name="History" /> However, the club's stay in the top flight was short-lived as Sunderland were once again relegated, this time with a new record-low total of 15 points. McCarthy left the club in mid-season, and he was replaced temporarily by former Sunderland player Kevin Ball.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/4778496.stm|title=Sunderland sack manager McCarthy|date=6 March 2006|website=BBC Sport|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=19 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819114854/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/4778496.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Drumaville Consortium takeover and Ellis Short era (2006–2016)=== thumb|Former player Niall Quinn led the takeover of the club in 2006, and spent six more years at the club in the roles of manager, chairman and Director of International Development Following Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League, the club was taken over by the Irish Drumaville Consortium,<ref name="History" /> headed by ex-player Niall Quinn, who appointed former Manchester United captain Roy Keane as the new manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/5290778.stm|title=Keane becomes new Sunderland boss|date=28 August 2006|website=BBC Sport|access-date=21 September 2008|archive-date=7 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207114140/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/5290778.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Keane, the club rose steadily up the table with an unbeaten run of 17 games<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/apr/23/match.sunderland|title=Keane's march to the top falters on tiny Colchester's own ambitions|last=Alexander|first=Jeremy|date=23 April 2007|website=The Guardian|access-date=21 September 2008}}</ref> to win promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2006–07 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/6578817.stm|title=Crystal Palace 2–0 Derby|last=Mercer|first=Nathan|date=29 April 2007|website=BBC Sport|access-date=21 September 2008|archive-date=7 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907131547/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/6578817.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/may/07/match.sunderland|title=Sunderland's title has Keane almost smiling|last=Walker|first=Michael|date=7 May 2007|website=The Guardian|access-date=21 September 2008}}</ref> Two seasons later, after an inconsistent start to the 2008–09 season, Keane resigned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8066360.stm|title=Sbragia resigns from Sunderland|date=25 May 2009|website=BBC Sport|access-date=26 September 2009|archive-date=1 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701083852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8066360.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Before the start of the following campaign, Irish-American businessman Ellis Short completed a full takeover of the club,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/5392742/Steve-Bruce-set-for-Sunderland-talks-while-Ellis-Short-completes-takeover.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/5392742/Steve-Bruce-set-for-Sunderland-talks-while-Ellis-Short-completes-takeover.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Steve Bruce set for Sunderland talks while Ellis Short completes takeover|author=Rob Stewart|date=27 May 2009|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=27 May 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and Steve Bruce was announced as the next manager on 3 June, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8080762.stm|title=Bruce named as Sunderland manager|date=3 June 2009|website=BBC Sport|access-date=26 September 2009|archive-date=6 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606082125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8080762.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

One of Bruce's first signings, Darren Bent, cost a club record fee of £10 million, broken a year later when they bought Ghana international Asamoah Gyan for around £13&nbsp;million.<ref name="gyan">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8958346.stm|title=Asamoah Gyan joins Sunderland for record £13m fee|date=31 August 2010|website=BBC Sport|access-date=8 September 2010|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017024912/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8958346.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunderland started the 2010–11 season strongly, but after Bent left for Aston Villa in January 2011 in a deal potentially worth £24 million, a record transfer fee received for the club,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/17/darren-bent-sunderland-aston-villa|title=Darren Bent heads for Aston Villa in record £24m deal|author=Louise Taylor|date=17 January 2011|website=The Guardian|access-date=30 November 2011|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828111329/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/17/darren-bent-sunderland-aston-villa|url-status=live}}</ref> they eventually finished 10th — their highest top-flight finish for 10 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/chris-young-column/west_ham_0_sunderland_3_win_means_sunderland_finish_above_newcastle_1_3407202?commentssort=1&commentspage=10|title=West Ham 0 Sunderland 3: Win means Sunderland finish above Newcastle|date=22 May 2011|website=Sunderland Echo|access-date=30 November 2011|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111163123/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/sunderland-afc/chris-young-column/west_ham_0_sunderland_3_win_means_sunderland_finish_above_newcastle_1_3407202?commentssort=1&commentspage=10|url-status=dead}}</ref> After being named Sunderland's Young Player of the Year for two seasons in a row,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afcs-academy-graduates-now-15359267|title=Sunderland AFC's academy graduates – where are they now?|first=Sean|last=McCormick|date=2 November 2018|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Evening Chronicle|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211030021/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afcs-academy-graduates-now-15359267|url-status=live}}</ref> local player Jordan Henderson was transferred to Liverpool at the end of the 2010–11 season, where he went on to win the Champions League among other achievements.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bacon|first=Jake|date=15 August 2018|title=Signing Super Cup and Champions League-winning captain Jordan Henderson at Liverpool cost Damien Comolli his job|url=https://talksport.com/football/550057/liverpool-damien-comolli-jordan-henderson-super-cup-champions-league/|access-date=5 July 2020|website=talkSPORT|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225141935/https://talksport.com/football/550057/liverpool-damien-comolli-jordan-henderson-super-cup-champions-league/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Doyle|first=Ian|date=24 July 2019|title=What happened after Liverpool's Champions League final win and why Jurgen Klopp turned down Jordan Henderson request|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jurgen-klopp-turned-down-jordan-16635323|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>

Short replaced Quinn as chairman in October 2011, with Quinn initially becoming Director of International Development;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15159659 |title=Niall Quinn steps down as Sunderland chairman |website=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2011 |access-date=17 February 2012 |archive-date=8 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508194011/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15159659 |url-status=live }}</ref> he left the club with immediate effect in February 2012.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/9092819/Niall-Quinn-leaves-Sunderland-with-immediate-effect-to-concentrate-on-business-interests-outside-football.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/sunderland/9092819/Niall-Quinn-leaves-Sunderland-with-immediate-effect-to-concentrate-on-business-interests-outside-football.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | website=The Daily Telegraph | title=Niall Quinn leaves Sunderland with immediate effect to concentrate on business interests outside football|date=20 February 2012|access-date=20 February 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bruce was sacked in November 2011,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15975008 |title=Sunderland sack Steve Bruce as manager |website=BBC Sport |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=17 February 2012 |archive-date=31 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131233928/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15975008 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/30/steve-bruce-leaves-sunderland |title=Steve Bruce sacked by Sunderland |website=The Guardian |date= 30 November 2011|access-date=17 February 2012}}</ref> and replaced by Martin O'Neill.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15997197 |title=Martin O'Neill named Sunderland manager |website=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=17 February 2012 |archive-date=6 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406053410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15997197 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/03/martin-oneill-sunderland |title=Martin O'Neill named as Sunderland manager after signing three-year deal |website=The Guardian |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=17 February 2012}}</ref> O'Neill was sacked in March 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11695/8608743/Martin-O-Neill-sacked-as-Sunderland-manager-after-Manchester-United-defeat|title=Martin O'Neill sacked as Sunderland manager after Manchester United defeat|website=SkySports|date=31 March 2013|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012222422/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11695/8608743/Martin-O-Neill-sacked-as-Sunderland-manager-after-Manchester-United-defeat|url-status=live}}</ref> and Italian Paolo Di Canio was announced as his replacement the following day<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21990117 |title=Paolo Di Canio appointed Sunderland head coach |website=BBC Sport |date=31 March 2013 |access-date=19 April 2014 |archive-date=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202160645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21990117 |url-status=live }}</ref> to widespread controversy.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21991812 | website=BBC News | title=Di Canio: David Miliband quits Sunderland role | date=1 April 2013 | access-date=1 April 2013 | archive-date=1 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401012432/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21991812 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ubha|first=Ravi|date=3 April 2013|title='Fascist' Di Canio polarizes opinion|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/03/sport/football/di-canio-sunderland-football/index.html|access-date=26 August 2020|website=CNN}}</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22049080 | website=BBC News | title=Miners' Di Canio protest 'will only end with Sunderland campaign support' | date=6 April 2013 | access-date=1 April 2013 | archive-date=7 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407065931/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22049080 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/62109/durham-miners-association-our-issues-with-di-canio-now-resolved |title=Durham Miners' Association: Our Issues With Di Canio At Sunderland Now Resolved |last=Daunt |first=Joe |website=Sky Tyne and Wear |access-date=24 April 2013 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625103549/http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/62109/durham-miners-association-our-issues-with-di-canio-now-resolved |archive-date=25 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/02/paolo-di-canio-sunderland-miners-banner | website=The Guardian | first=Matthew | last=Taylor | title=Sunderland miners demand return of banner after Paolo Di Canio's arrival | date=2 April 2013 | access-date=2 April 2013 | archive-date=28 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928065013/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/02/paolo-di-canio-sunderland-miners-banner | url-status=live }}</ref> Sunderland went on to avoid relegation with one game to go. Di Canio was sacked after a poor start to the 2013–14 season, and reports of a complete breakdown in relations with his players.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/paolo-di-canio-was-fired-by-sunderland-for-systematic-destruction-of-his-players-8835606.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/paolo-di-canio-was-fired-by-sunderland-for-systematic-destruction-of-his-players-8835606.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Paolo Di Canio was fired by Sunderland for 'systematic destruction' of|date=24 September 2013|access-date=24 September 2013|last=Hardy|first=Martin|website=The Independent}}</ref> Gus Poyet was announced as his replacement,<ref>{{cite web |author=Dennis, Ian |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24441758 |title=Gus Poyet: Sunderland name Uruguayan as head coach |website=BBC Sport |date=8 October 2013 |access-date=19 April 2014 |archive-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803020334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24441758 |url-status=live }}</ref> and led Sunderland to the 2014 Football League Cup Final, where they were defeated 3–1 by Manchester City.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26311649 |title=Manchester City 3–1 Sunderland |website=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2014 |access-date=19 April 2014 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112040228/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26311649 |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2015 Poyet was sacked,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31902933|title=Gus Poyet: Sunderland sack manager after crisis talks|website=BBC Sport|date=16 March 2015|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=20 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320231301/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31902933|url-status=live}}</ref> and veteran Dutchman Dick Advocaat was appointed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31919801|title=Sunderland: Dick Advocaat appointed Black Cats boss|website=BBC Sport|date=17 March 2015|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=23 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323071727/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31919801|url-status=live}}</ref> saving the club from relegation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32716700|title=Arsenal 0–0 Sunderland|last=McNulty|first=Phil|website=BBC Sport|date=20 May 2015|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627095255/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32716700|url-status=live}}</ref> Eight games into the 2015–16 season, he resigned from the position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34437620|title=Dick Advocaat: Sunderland boss quits Premier League strugglers|website=BBC Sport|date=4 October 2015|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=25 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625012553/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34437620|url-status=live}}</ref> Sam Allardyce was appointed the next manager in October 2015, and the club was again saved from relegation at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35733486 | title=Sunderland 3–0 Everton | website=BBC Sport | date=11 May 2016 | access-date=12 May 2016 | archive-date=12 May 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512000027/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35733486 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Divisional movements and ownership changes (2016–present)=== In July 2016, Allardyce left the club to be announced as manager for the England national team,<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 July 2016|title=Sam Allardyce appointed new England manager on two-year deal|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12016/10508367/sam-allardyce-appointed-new-england-manager-football-association-confirms|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sky Sports|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705152448/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12016/10508367/sam-allardyce-appointed-new-england-manager-football-association-confirms|url-status=live}}</ref> and David Moyes was appointed as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite news|date=23 July 2016|title=Sunderland: David Moyes replaces Sam Allardyce as manager|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36874200|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705103100/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36874200|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Moyes, Sunderland made the worst ever start to a Premier League season, taking just two points from their opening 10 matches.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Peter|date=29 October 2016|title=Sunderland make worst ever start to a Premier League season|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10636619/sunderland-make-worst-ever-start-to-a-premier-league-season|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sky Sports|archive-date=5 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705153759/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10636619/sunderland-make-worst-ever-start-to-a-premier-league-season|url-status=live}}</ref> The club was relegated for the first time in 10 years at the end of 2016–17, finishing bottom of the table,<ref>{{cite news|title=Sunderland 0–1 AFC Bournemouth|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39676422|access-date=29 April 2017|website=BBC Sport|date=29 April 2017|archive-date=30 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630233234/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39676422|url-status=live}}</ref> and Moyes resigned.<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 May 2017|title=David Moyes resigns as Sunderland boss after relegation from Premier League|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40003697|access-date=5 July 2020}}</ref> In June 2017, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, a product of Sunderland's academy, was transferred to Everton for a fee of £25 million, rising to a possible £30 million—a record for a British goalkeeper. He went on to become England's first choice goalkeeper<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|date=15 June 2017|title=Jordan Pickford: Everton confirm £25m, rising to £30m, deal with Sunderland|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40258852|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=15 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615115902/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40258852|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following relegation, Simon Grayson was announced as the new manager.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/29/sunderland-shelve-takeover-talks-close-preston-simon-grayson |title=Sunderland appoint Simon Grayson as manager after shelving takeover talks |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 June 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-date=29 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629234614/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/29/sunderland-shelve-takeover-talks-close-preston-simon-grayson |url-status=live }}</ref> The club made a very poor start to the 2017–18 EFL Championship season (which was documented in the Netflix series ''Sunderland 'Til I Die'') and Grayson was sacked at the end of October,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/31/simon-grayson-sacked-sunderland-manager|title=Simon Grayson sacked as Sunderland manager after draw with Bolton|date=31 October 2017|website=The Guardian|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref> with Chris Coleman replacing him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2017/november/coleman-named-new-manager|title=Coleman named new manager|date=19 November 2017|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120151238/https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2017/november/coleman-named-new-manager|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2018, after a second consecutive relegation, this time to League One,<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 April 2018|title=Sunderland 1–2 Burton Albion|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43762308|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108054641/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43762308|url-status=live}}</ref> the club was sold to Stewart Donald and Juan Sartori. Coleman was then released from his contract.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Louise|date=29 April 2018|title=Sunderland sold by Ellis Short as Chris Coleman is sacked|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/apr/29/chris-coleman-sackedd-manager-sunderland|access-date=5 July 2020|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Jack Ross was appointed as the new manager in May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 May 2018|title=Jack Ross: Sunderland name St Mirren boss as new manager|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44238168|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808190315/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44238168|url-status=live}}</ref> In the club's first season in League One they got to the final of the EFL Trophy and finished 5th and reached the play-off final, but lost to Charlton Athletic at Wembley. After a disappointing start to the following 2019–20 season, Ross was sacked.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 October 2019|title=Sunderland sack Jack Ross as manager|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/11830823/sunderland-sack-jack-ross-as-manager|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sky Sports|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022190706/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/11830823/sunderland-sack-jack-ross-as-manager|url-status=live}}</ref> He was replaced by former Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 October 2019|title=Phil Parkinson: Sunderland name ex-Bolton Wanderers boss as manager|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50081814|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=10 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210203625/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50081814|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunderland finished the season in 8th place, their lowest ever league position, with the final standings ultimately being determined by points per game due to football's suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dubas-Fisher|first1=David|last2=Johns|first2=Craig|date=9 June 2020|title=Sunderland officially finish the season in their lowest ever position in history|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-officially-finish-season-lowest-18391207|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Evening Chronicle|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628072808/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-officially-finish-season-lowest-18391207|url-status=live}}</ref>

Parkinson was sacked in November 2020 and was replaced by Lee Johnson the following month.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/nov/29/sunderland-sack-phil-parkinson-after-sluggish-start-to-league-one-campaign|title=Sunderland sack Phil Parkinson after sluggish start to League One campaign|newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/12151718/sunderland-appoint-lee-johnson-as-head-coach |title=Sunderland appoint Lee Johnson as head coach |work=Sky Sports News |date=5 December 2020 |archive-date=12 March 2025 |access-date=11 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312140926/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11695/12151718/sunderland-appoint-lee-johnson-as-head-coach |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that month, the club reached an agreement with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus for him to purchase a controlling stake in the club.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hewitt |first1=Matty |title=Who is 22-year-old Kyril Louis-Dreyfus? Sunderland's new majority shareholder |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-takeover-kyril-louis-dreyfus-19276820 |access-date=9 February 2021 |work=Chronicle Live |date=24 December 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125205200/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-takeover-kyril-louis-dreyfus-19276820 |url-status=live }}</ref> The takeover was completed on 18 February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://safc.com/news/club-news/2021/february/kld-acquires-controlling-interest-in-sunderland-afc|title = Louis-Dreyfus acquires controlling interest in Sunderland AFC|date = 18 February 2021|access-date = 18 February 2021|archive-date = 18 February 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210218151922/https://safc.com/news/club-news/2021/february/kld-acquires-controlling-interest-in-sunderland-afc|url-status = live}}</ref> In May 2021, the club again fell short of promotion after losing to Lincoln City 3–2 on aggregate in the semifinals of the play-offs.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125196|title = Sunderland 2–1 Lincoln City (2–3 agg.) - BBC Sport|work = BBC Sport|date = 22 May 2021|archive-date = 22 May 2021|access-date = 17 October 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210522185011/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125196|url-status = live}}</ref>

In February 2022, former Norwich City manager Alex Neil was appointed as head coach, following Johnson's dismissal after a 6–0 loss to Bolton in January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sunderland appoint Neil as head coach |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60337931 |access-date=21 May 2022 |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420013334/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60337931 |url-status=live }}</ref> After finishing fifth in League One at the end of the season, Sunderland qualified for the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sunderland beat Morecambe to secure play-off spot |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61198303 |access-date=21 May 2022 |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521215621/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61198303 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the semi-finals, they beat Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 on aggregate,<ref>{{cite news |title=Roberts goal sends Sunderland to play-off final |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61294931 |access-date=21 May 2022 |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511035246/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61294931 |url-status=live }}</ref> and went on to beat Wycombe Wanderers 2–0 in the final to secure a return to the second flight of English football for the first time in four years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sunderland back in Championship after play-off win |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447041 |access-date=21 May 2022 |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520171643/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61447041 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tony Mowbray took over as head coach in August that year following Neil's departure to manage Stoke City.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sunderland appoint Mowbray as boss |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62733033 |access-date=2023-03-07 |archive-date=5 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305040708/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62733033 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sunderland ended the season in 6th, and were knocked out of the playoff semi-final by Luton Town.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65529573 | title=Luton overpower Sunderland to reach play-off final | work=BBC Sport | archive-date=17 May 2023 | access-date=17 May 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517045837/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65529573 | url-status=live }}</ref> Mowbray was sacked in December 2023 and replaced by Michael Beale,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ex-Rangers boss Beale named Sunderland head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67730543 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231218153938/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67730543 |archive-date=18 December 2023 |date=18 December 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> who was himself sacked after 12 games, the shortest managerial stint in Sunderland's history;<ref name=BBC-19Feb2024>{{cite web |title=Sunderland sack head coach Beale after 12 games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68340952 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240219164245/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68340952 |archive-date=19 February 2024 |language=en |date=19 February 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> interim manager Mike Dodds ended the 2023–24 season in 16th.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Copley |first1=James |title=Next Sunderland manager: Fans name 17 candidates they want Kristjaan Speakman to appoint |url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-fans-name-17-next-manager-candidates-they-want-kristjaan-speakman-to-appoint-4618769?page=4 |access-date=11 May 2024 |work=Sunderland Echo |date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511164318/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-fans-name-17-next-manager-candidates-they-want-kristjaan-speakman-to-appoint-4618769?page=4 |url-status=live }}</ref> French manager Régis Le Bris was announced as head coach in June 2024, joining from Lorient.<ref>{{cite web |title=Régis Le Bris |url=https://safc.com/news/team-news/2024/june/regis-le-bris |website=safc.com |access-date=22 June 2024 |archive-date=15 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715042619/https://safc.com/news/team-news/2024/june/regis-le-bris |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, Stewart Donald officially left Sunderland, when Juan Sartori bought the remainder of his shares.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bazeley |first=Edward |date=2024-05-19 |title=Sunderland AFC ownership: A look at Kyril Louis-Dreyfus & Juan Sartori's source of wealth + Net worth |url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sunderland-afc-ownership-a-look-at-kyril-louis-dreyfus-juan-sartori-source-of-wealth-net-worth/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=FootballLeagueWorld |language=en |archive-date=23 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223142502/https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/sunderland-afc-ownership-a-look-at-kyril-louis-dreyfus-juan-sartori-source-of-wealth-net-worth/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Sunderland, Louis-Dreyfus owns 64% of the club, while Sartori owns the remaining 36%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thrower |first=Luke |date=2024-02-13 |title='Potential'... Sunderland co-owner explains driving force behind takeover |url=https://www.sunderlandafc.news/news/sunderland-co-owner-kyril-louis-dreyfus-reveals-driving-force-behind-takeover-after-closer-look-at-club/#:~:text=In%20an%20interview%20on%20the,said%20on%20the%20Netflix%20documentary. |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Sunderland AFC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903161549/https://www.sunderlandafc.news/news/sunderland-co-owner-kyril-louis-dreyfus-reveals-driving-force-behind-takeover-after-closer-look-at-club/#:~:text=In%20an%20interview%20on%20the,said%20on%20the%20Netflix%20documentary. |url-status=live }}</ref> thumb|left|Sunderland supporters at Wembley Stadium during the 2025 Championship play-off final against Sheffield United in May 2025 Sunderland finished fourth in the 2024–25 EFL Championship, qualifying for the play-offs, where they met Coventry City.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/football/table/_/league/eng.2|title=2024-25 English League Championship Standings - ESPN (IN)|website=ESPN|access-date=24 May 2025|archive-date=2 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602140500/https://www.espn.in/football/table/_/league/eng.2|url-status=live}}</ref> Following a 2–1 win away in the first leg, the club drew the home leg 1–1 at home, with a goal from defender Daniel Ballard in the last minute of extra time. This meant a 3–2 win on aggregate, and qualification for the play-off final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/13362586/sunderland-1-1-coventry-city-aet-agg-3-2-dan-ballards-last-minute-winner-sends-black-cats-to-championship-play-off-final|title=Sunderland 1-1 Coventry City, AET (Agg: 3-2): Dan Ballard's last-minute header sends Black Cats to Championship play-off final|website=Sky Sports|access-date=24 May 2025|archive-date=2 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602140503/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/13362586/sunderland-1-1-coventry-city-aet-agg-3-2-dan-ballards-last-minute-winner-sends-black-cats-to-championship-play-off-final|url-status=live}}</ref> In the final on 24 May 2025, Sunderland came back from 1–0 down to beat Sheffield United 2–1, with goals from Eliezer Mayenda and a stoppage-time winner from Tom Watson. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c62vgp6z7q3t|title=Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland LIVE: Black Cats stun Blades|website=BBC Sport|access-date=24 May 2025|archive-date=26 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526155659/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c62vgp6z7q3t|url-status=live}}</ref> This secured the Black Cats' return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence from the top division.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/sheff-utd-vs-sunderland/report/529582|title=Sheffield United 1-2 Sunderland: Black Cats secure return to Premier League after stunning turnaround at Wembley|website=Sky Sports|access-date=24 May 2025|archive-date=24 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524172415/https://www.skysports.com/football/sheff-utd-vs-sunderland/report/529582|url-status=live}}</ref>

Sunderland's return to the Premier League prompted investment in the playing squad, with €115 million being spent as of 13 July 2025. Each of these purchases were for a fee greater than their previous transfer record when Asamoah Gyan was purchased. They ultimately placed seventh following the conclusion of the 2025–26 season, their highest finish in the top division since 2000–01. This allowed them qualify for European football for the first time in 53 years, having last competed there in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rajan |first1=Adwaidh |title=From League One to Europa League in four years - Sunderland defy odds |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c202q217z58o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2026-05-27 |date=2026-05-24}}</ref>

==Colours and crest== {{Commons|Sunderland A.F.C. kits}} Sunderland played in an all blue strip from their formation until 1884,<ref name="History" /> when they adopted a red and white halved strip.<ref name="rokerpark2">{{cite web|url=http://www.roker-roar.com/pauldays/navbar/redandwhite.html |title=Red and white stripes |website=Roker Park |access-date=19 September 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603122644/http://www.roker-roar.com/pauldays/navbar/redandwhite.html |archive-date=3 June 2008 }}</ref> They assumed the current strip of red and white stripes in the 1887–88 season.<ref>Days, p. 15.</ref> Their badge included a ship, the upper part of the Sunderland coat of arms, a black cat, and a football in front of Sunderland's red and white stripes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uefaclubs.com/showlogos.php?club=Sunderland%20AFC&logo=5|title=European Football Club Logos|website=UEFA Clubs|access-date=20 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002105118/http://uefaclubs.com/showlogos.php?club=Sunderland%20AFC&logo=5|archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref> In 1972 the badge was changed,<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 May 2013|title=Views divided on Sunderland AFC's new badge|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-news/views-divided-on-sunderland-afc-s-new-badge-1-5634662|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517173803/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-news/views-divided-on-sunderland-afc-s-new-badge-1-5634662|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 May 2019|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sunderland Echo}}</ref> removing the black cat but still including a ship, a football and the background of red and white stripes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uefaclubs.com/showlogos.php?club=Sunderland%20AFC&logo=2|title=European Football Club Logos|website=UEFA Clubs|access-date=20 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002105127/http://uefaclubs.com/showlogos.php?club=Sunderland%20AFC&logo=2|archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref> This badge was first used on the match day shirt in 1977, replacing the simple black 'SAFC' initials which had been used since 1973.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Sunderland/Sunderland.htm|title=Sunderland|website=Historical Football Kits|access-date=17 May 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214032418/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Sunderland/Sunderland.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The top section and border of the badge was coloured in blue until 1991, when it changed to black.<ref name="auto1"/>

To coincide with the move from Roker Park to the Stadium of Light in 1997, Sunderland released a new crest divided into four quarters; the upper right and lower left featured their traditional red and white colours, but the ship was omitted. The upper left section features the Penshaw Monument and the lower right section shows the Wearmouth Bridge.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=SAFC Crest|url=https://www.safc.com/page/ClubCrest|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725202052/https://www.safc.com/page/ClubCrest|archive-date=25 July 2009|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sunderland A.F.C.}}</ref> A colliery wheel at the top of the crest commemorates County Durham's mining history, and the land the Stadium of Light was built on, formerly the Monkwearmouth Colliery. The crest also contains two lions, the black cats of Sunderland, and a banner displaying the club's motto, ''Consectatio Excellentiae'', which means "In pursuit of excellence".<ref name=":3" /> {{gallery |width=170 | height=170 |align=center |File:Sunderland_AFC_cat_badge.jpg|Sunderland's club badge until 1972 |File:SAFC1972-97crest.svg|Sunderland's club badge, originally using a blue background rather than black, used from 1972 to 1997 |File:Logo_Sunderland.svg|Sunderland's current club badge used since 1997 }} {{-}}

==Stadium== {{See also|List of Sunderland A.F.C. Grounds}} Sunderland have had eight grounds throughout their history; the first was at Blue House Field in Hendon in 1879. The ground was close to the place where Sunderland formed, at Hendon Board School; at that time the rent for use of the ground was £10 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|10|1879|r=-2}}|0}} today).{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/blue-house-field |title=Blue House Field, Hendon |date=22 June 2009 |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406232956/https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/blue-house-field |url-status=live }}</ref> The club then used a number of fields, one of which was near The Cedars road,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/the-cedars|title=The Cedars|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=6 April 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406232954/https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/the-cedars|url-status=live}}</ref> before relocating to Groves Field in Ashbrooke in 1882 for one season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/groves-field |title=The Grove, Ashbrooke |date=22 June 2009 |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010}}</ref> The club's third stadium was Horatio Street in Roker, the first Sunderland stadium north of the River Wear; the club played a single season there before another move,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/horatio-street |title=Horatio Street, Roker |date=22 June 2009 |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406231543/https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/horatio-street |url-status=live }}</ref> this time to Abbs Field in Fulwell for two seasons. Abbs Field was notable for being the first Sunderland ground to which they charged admission.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/abbs-field |title=Abbs Field, Fulwell |date=22 June 2009 |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406233001/https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/abbs-field |url-status=live }}</ref>

Sunderland moved to Newcastle Road in 1886. By 1898, the ground reached a capacity of 15,000 after renovations, and its rent had risen to £100 (£{{Formatprice|{{Inflation|UK|100|1898|r=-2}}|0}} today) a year.{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/newcastle-road |title=Newcastle Road |date=22 June 2009 |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406232958/https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/newcastle-road |url-status=live }}</ref> Near the turn of the 20th century, Sunderland needed a bigger stadium. They returned to Roker and set up home in Roker Park. It was opened on 10 September 1898, and the home team played a match the same day against Liverpool,<ref name="rokerparksafc">{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/roker-park |title=Roker Park |date=22 June 2009 |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406231509/https://www.safc.com/history/stadiums/roker-park |url-status=live }}</ref> which they won. The stadium's capacity increased to 50,000 after redevelopment with architect Archibald Leitch in 1913. Sunderland were nearly bankrupted by the cost of renovating the Main Stand, and Roker Park was put up for sale but no further action was taken. On&nbsp;8 March 1933, an overcrowded Roker Park recorded the highest ever attendance at a Sunderland match, 75,118 against Derby County in a FA Cup sixth round replay.<ref name="History" /> Roker Park suffered a bombing in 1943, in which one corner of the stadium was destroyed. A special constable was killed while patrolling the stadium. By the 1990s, the stadium was no longer large enough, and had no room for possible expansion.<ref>Days, pp. 153–154.</ref> In January 1990, the Taylor Report was released after overcrowding at Hillsborough Stadium resulted in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/3627261.stm|title=Service marks Hillsborough deaths|date=15 April 2004|website=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2009}}</ref> The report recommended that all major stadiums must be converted to an all-seater design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southyorks.police.uk/sites/default/files/foi/significantpublicinterest/hillsborough%20stadium%20disaster%20final%20report.zip|title=Lord Taylor's final report on the Hillsborough stadium disaster (zipped pdf)|author=Lord Justice Taylor|date=January 1990|website=Home Office|access-date=5 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330053408/http://southyorks.police.uk/sites/default/files/hillsborough%20stadium%20disaster%20final%20report.pdf|archive-date=30 March 2014}}</ref> As a result, Roker Park's capacity was reduced. It was demolished in 1997 and a housing estate built in its place.<ref name="rokerparksafc" />

In 1997, Sunderland moved to their present ground, Stadium of Light in Monkwearmouth, which was opened by the then Prince Andrew, Duke of York (later Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor). Built with an original capacity of 42,000, it hosted its first game against Dutch team Ajax.<ref name="SOL" /> The stadium bears a similar name to the Portuguese club Benfica's ground Estádio da Luz, albeit in a different language. A stadium expansion in 2000 saw the capacity increase to 49,000. A Davy lamp monument stands outside the stadium, and a miners banner was presented to the club by the Durham Miners' Association,<ref>{{cite news|first1=Matthew|last1=Taylor|access-date=28 August 2019|title=Sunderland miners demand return of banner after Paolo Di Canio's arrival|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/02/paolo-di-canio-sunderland-miners-banner|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 April 2013|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=28 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928065013/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/02/paolo-di-canio-sunderland-miners-banner|url-status=live}}</ref> as a reminder of the Monkwearmouth Colliery pit the stadium was built on. {{gallery |width=270 | height=180 |align=center |File:Roker Park August 1976.jpg|Sunderland's stadium for 99 years, Roker Park |File:Stadium of Light, Sunderland afc.jpg|The Stadium of Light has been Sunderland's home ground since 1997. }} {{-}}

==Supporters and rivalries== {{Main|Sunderland A.F.C. supporters|Seaburn Casuals}}

===Attendance and following=== The club has had a historically large and passionate following, with the club seeing attendance figures larger than other more fashionable clubs. For instance a 2019 by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) showed that over the prior 5 seasons (2013 to 2018) Sunderland recorded the 38th highest average attendance in world football with an average of 39,249 fans at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland's average attendance were higher over that period than perennial title challengers such as Juventus FC in Italy and FC Porto in Portugal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-sunderland-harnessing-fanbase-bigger-16120708|title=Sunderland harnessing fanbase bigger than Valencia, Porto and Juventus|first=Stuart|last=Rayner|date=13 April 2019|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017010651/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-sunderland-harnessing-fanbase-bigger-16120708|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CIES>{{cite web|url=https://football-observatory.com/IMG/sites/mr/mr44/en/|title=CIES Football Observatory Monthly Report n°44 - April 2019 Attendances in football stadia (2003-2018)|date=10 April 2018|publisher=CIES|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224110/https://football-observatory.com/IMG/sites/mr/mr44/en/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite relegation from the Premier League in 2017 the club has continued to post large annual average attendance figures, recording over 30,000 for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, enough for 16th in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/amazing-sunderland-attendance-statistic-shows-17082327|title=The amazing Sunderland attendance statistic which shows how loyal Black Cats fans are|publisher=Chronicle Live|date=14 October 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=23 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123171304/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/amazing-sunderland-attendance-statistic-shows-17082327|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/astonishing-average-attendances-englands-biggest-clubs-where-do-sunderland-afc-rank-2527935?page=4|title=The astonishing average attendances of England's biggest clubs - where do Sunderland AFC rank?|publisher=Sunderland Echo|date=6 April 2020|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205091340/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/astonishing-average-attendances-englands-biggest-clubs-where-do-sunderland-afc-rank-2527935?page=4|url-status=live}}</ref> Following relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2017–18 season, Sunderland subsequently broke the League One division attendance record on 26 December 2018 in a match against Bradford City with a total of 46,039 fans.<ref name=Coral>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-break-league-one-attendance-15597865|title=Sunderland break League One attendance record|date=26 December 2018|publisher=Chronicle Live|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205144146/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-break-league-one-attendance-15597865|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-sunderlands-home-attendance-record-14748127|title=What is Sunderland's home attendance record?|publisher=Chronicle Live|date=23 August 2018|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205075023/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-sunderlands-home-attendance-record-14748127|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/efl/540621/sunderland-biggest-attendance-outside-premier-league|title=Sunderland record biggest attendance outside of Premier League with EFL crowds reaching 60-year high|publisher=TalkSport|date=9 May 2019|access-date=27 November 2020|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225145927/https://talksport.com/football/efl/540621/sunderland-biggest-attendance-outside-premier-league/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Popular songs, music and chants=== A song Sunderland fans sing every game before kickoff and has been described as the anthem of the club is a rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, with "Sunderland" being sung repeatedly after "but I can't help falling in love with you."<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Johns|first=Craig|date=3 October 2018|title=Sunderland AFC chants: Memorable songs from supporters of the Black Cats|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afc-player-chants-memorable-11043723|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Evening Chronicle|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827230425/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afc-player-chants-memorable-11043723|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Walker|first=Michael|date=13 May 2002|title=Sunderland 1–1 Derby County|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/may/13/match.sport10|access-date=13 August 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> "Dance of the Knights" from Sergei Prokofiev's ballet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is traditionally played before the teams take the field; the club's walk-on song is "Ready to Go" by Republica, with the crowd typically singing its chorus. Also, during Gus Poyet's tenure, Sunderland supporters started singing "Things Can Only Get Better" by D:Ream.<ref name=":6" /> The fans launched a campaign to get the song back into the charts, to coincide with their team's 2014 League Cup Final.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 February 2014|title=Campaign to get 1990s Sunderland anthem Things Can Only Get Better to No1|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/campaign-to-get-1990s-sunderland-anthem-things-can-only-get-better-to-no1-1-6458677|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035921/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/all-news/campaign-to-get-1990s-sunderland-anthem-things-can-only-get-better-to-no1-1-6458677|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Sunderland Echo}}</ref> A day after the Final, the song re-entered the UK Dance Chart at number 19.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 02 March 2014 – 08 March 2014|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20140302/104/|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Official Charts|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724013943/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/20140302/104/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two of the most famous chants by Sunderland supporters are "I'm Sunderland till I die" and "We're by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen"—with the former being chosen as the title of the Netflix show ''Sunderland 'Til I Die''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=4 March 2020|title=Netflix Sets Premiere For Season Two Of Soccer Doc Series 'Sunderland 'Til I Die'|url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/netflix-premiere-for-season-two-sunderland-til-i-die-1202874038/|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Deadline|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001015125/https://deadline.com/2020/03/netflix-premiere-for-season-two-sunderland-til-i-die-1202874038/|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the oldest Sunderland chants is "Ha'way the lads" which was sung at Sunderland games as far back as the 1960s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mason|first=Rob|date=17 October 2018|title=Ha'way the Lads|url=https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2018/october/haway-the-lads|access-date=13 August 2020|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108160354/https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2018/october/haway-the-lads|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to a YouGov poll in 2014, supporters of Sunderland showed a tendency towards left politics.<ref name="Campbell">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/18/you-gov-premier-league-profiles-20-clubs|title=Are you an average fan? Find out with YouGov's Premier League profiles|website=The Guardian|last=Campbell|first=Paul|date=18 November 2014|access-date=7 October 2015|archive-date=10 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010102246/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/18/you-gov-premier-league-profiles-20-clubs|url-status=live}}</ref> They sometimes sing a version of "The Red Flag" during games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/paolo-di-canio-fascist-can-1796086|title = Viva Il Duce? Can socialist Sunderland AFC learn to live with self-proclaimed 'fascist' Paolo di Canio| website=Daily Mirror |date = April 2013}}</ref>

Ain't No Stopping Us Now, was SAFC's official release when the club reached the 1992 FA Cup Final against Liverpool. The song featured the first team squad and was released on A Love Supreme Records.

Cheer Up Peter Reid was released by fans in 1996 after the terrace chant about the manager became popular. It sold 40,000 copies and peaked at 41 in the UK charts, and was number one in the NME Indie Charts. The proceeds of Cheer Up Peter Reid were donated to cancer charities. Another chant became a recording when A Love Supreme released Niall Quinn's Disco Pants in 1999. It reached number one in the NME Indie Charts.

===Fanzines and fan produced material=== The fanzine ''A Love Supreme'' was first published in 1989 and has won nine awards for Fanzine of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.a-love-supreme.com/|title=A Love Supreme&nbsp;— The Independent Sunderland Football Club Fanzine|website=ALS Publications|access-date=19 September 2008|archive-date=6 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706123645/http://a-love-supreme.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> A Love Supreme has its base opposite the Stadium of Light, where its staff design the magazine, update their website, social media and create and sell their own range of fan related merchandise and provide coach travel for SAFC fans to every away game. Since 2010 the online fanzine ''Roker Report'' has operated on the SB Nation blogging network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2018/4/25/17279412/roker-report-shortlisted-as-a-finalist-in-football-blogging-awards-we-need-your-votes|title=Roker Report shortlisted as a finalist in Football Blogging Awards - we need YOUR votes!|author=Gav|date=25 April 2018|website=Roker Report|access-date=17 August 2020|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530094642/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2018/4/25/17279412/roker-report-shortlisted-as-a-finalist-in-football-blogging-awards-we-need-your-votes|url-status=live}}</ref> Roker Report has since grown in popularity amongst Sunderland fans, producing daily articles and interaction with fans. In 2016 Roker Report started a podcast called RokerRapport which has three or four episodes weekly. They occasionally interview current and former footballers, managers, owners and prominent fans of Sunderland. Since 2013 an independent podcast called Wise Men Say was created and was initially one episode weekly; however, it has since grown in popularity and now does three episodes weekly. In 2021, they began publishing opinion pieces on wisemensay.co.uk with a team of writers producing a wide range of features and informative articles. And, in 2021, the Wise Men Say Podcast was nominated Club Podcast of the Year at the 2021 Football Supporters Association Awards. In 2022, Wise Men Say reached 2 million downloads through its host platform Acast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wisemensay.co.uk/about-us/|title=About us|publisher=WiseMenSay|accessdate=2 November 2022|archive-date=2 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102192935/https://wisemensay.co.uk/about-us/|url-status=live}}</ref> The club also previously had an official monthly subscription magazine, called the ''Legion of Light'', which season ticket holders received for no cost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/shop/?page_id=15449|title=Magazine&nbsp;— Legion of Light|publisher=Sunderland A.F.C.|accessdate=21 September 2008|archive-date=23 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080823120217/http://www.safc.com/shop/?page_id=15449|url-status=live}}</ref> Others in the past have been ''It's The Hope I Can't Stand'', ''Sex and Chocolate'', ''Wise Men Say'', and ''The Roker Roar'' (later ''The Wearside Roar'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.a-love-supreme.com/S%20and%20C%20archive/S%26Carchive001.htm|title=History of Fanzines|publisher=ALS Publications|accessdate=19 September 2008|archive-date=8 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708193745/http://www.a-love-supreme.com/S%20and%20C%20archive/S%26Carchive001.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Supporters clubs and officially recognised organisations=== According to the club there are over 70 branches of official Supporters' Clubs in England and around the world, including North Korea.<ref name=SAFCOfficialclubs>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/fans/supporters-branches|title=SAFC Supporters Branches|website=www.SAFC.com|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107013019/https://www.safc.com/fans/supporters-branches|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pilnick|first=Brent|date=4 March 2019|title=Sunderland's North Korea fan club: Supporter aims to build fan base|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47442923|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011160626/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47442923|url-status=live}}</ref> The Official clubs are represented collectively by a Branch Liaison Council that was formed in the 1970s.<ref name=SAFCBLC>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/fans/branch-liaison-council|title=SAFC Branch Liaison Council|website=www.SAFC.com|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108095559/https://www.safc.com/fans/branch-liaison-council|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition the club has had a SAFC Liaison Group (SLG) since 1994 that works with fans on club issues and an independent supporters group, the Red & White Army (RAWA).<ref name=SAFCSLG>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/fans/sunderland-afc-liason-group|title=SAFC Liaison Group|website=www.SAFC.com|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108055828/https://www.safc.com/fans/sunderland-afc-liason-group|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=RAWA>{{cite web|url=https://www.redandwhitearmy.co.uk/about|title=About:RAWA|website=www.redandwhitearmy.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106052305/https://www.redandwhitearmy.co.uk/about|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Rivalries and close ties=== {{main|Tyne–Wear derby|Tees–Wear derby}} Traditionally, Sunderland's two main rivals have been Newcastle United and Middlesbrough, against whom the Tyne–Wear derby and Tees–Wear derby are competed for respectively. Although both are generally geographically close, Newcastle are considered their main rivals. The club were rivals with fellow Sunderland-based team Sunderland Albion in the 1880s and 1890s, a breakaway club formed by Sunderland's founder James Allan,<ref name="page19">Days, p. 19.</ref> until the club was made defunct. A more recent rivalry is with Coventry City, sparked by a controversial match in 1977 which, combined with results elsewhere, relegated Sunderland from the First Division but kept Coventry up.

Sunderland also share good relations and a mutual friendship with Dutch club Feyenoord; this was developed after Wearside shipbuilders found jobs in Rotterdam during the 1970s and 80s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1724981-7-friendships-between-football-clubs|title=7 Friendships Between Football Clubs|website=Bleacher Report|last=Lawley|first=Charles|date=2 August 2013|access-date=7 October 2015|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017024911/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1724981-7-friendships-between-football-clubs/page/3|url-status=live}}</ref> The club also has good relations and a mutual friendship with Norwich City, with matches between the two clubs being known as the ''Friendship Trophy,'' following good rapport in the 1985 Milk Cup final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-heck-friendship-trophy-footballs-oddest-closed-cup-competitions|title=What the heck is the Friendship Trophy? Football's oddest closed cup competitions|last=Moore|first=Nick|date=15 April 2016|website=FourFourTwo|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-date=16 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716134858/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-heck-friendship-trophy-footballs-oddest-closed-cup-competitions|url-status=live}}</ref>

==European football== {{main|Sunderland A.F.C. in European football}} Sunderland have made a single appearance in European competition, which came following their victory in the 1973 FA Cup final.<ref name="1973FACupfinal"/> This gave the club a place in the following season's European Cup Winners' Cup.<ref name="Euro"/>

===European matches=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Season ! Competition ! Round ! Opposition ! Home ! Attendance ! Away ! Attendance ! Aggregate |- |rowspan=2|1973–74 |rowspan=2|European Cup Winners' Cup |First round |{{flagicon|HUN}} Vasas |style="text-align:center;"|1–0 |style="text-align:center;"|22,462 |style="text-align:center;"|2–0 |style="text-align:center;"|27,130 |style="text-align:center;"|'''3–0''' |- |Second round |{{flagicon|POR}} Sporting CP |style="text-align:center;"|2–1 |style="text-align:center;"|31,568 |style="text-align:center;"|0–2 |style="text-align:center;"|41,434 |style="text-align:center;"|'''2–3''' |- |2026–27 |UEFA Europa League |League phase | | style="text-align: center;" | | style="text-align: center;" | | style="text-align: center;" | | style="text-align: center;" | | style="text-align: center;" | |}

==Charitable associations== {{See also|Foundation of Light}} In 2001, the chairman Bob Murray established the Foundation of Light charity, to help educational development through football, and offers learning centres in addition to scholarships.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-s-foundation-of-light-launches-north-durham-football-scholarship-1-9071904|title=Sunderland's Foundation of Light launches North Durham Football Scholarship|newspaper=Sunderland Echo|date=19 March 2018|access-date=20 March 2018|archive-date=20 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320171121/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-s-foundation-of-light-launches-north-durham-football-scholarship-1-9071904|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-afc-gets-royal-recognition-1-7113892|title=Sunderland AFC gets royal recognition|newspaper=Sunderland Echo|access-date=6 November 2018|language=en|archive-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083857/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/sunderland-afc-gets-royal-recognition-1-7113892|url-status=dead}}</ref> The organisation engaged 280 children within a year, and three years after foundation opened a £1.6m facility along with double-decker buses redeveloped as classrooms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1089333|title=Charity Details|website=beta.charitycommission.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=6 November 2018|archive-date=7 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145307/http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1089333|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/a-bit-of-class-at-the-stadium-of-light-1-1118129|title=A bit of class at the Stadium of Light|access-date=6 November 2018|language=en|archive-date=8 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025631/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/a-bit-of-class-at-the-stadium-of-light-1-1118129|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==In popular culture== Sunderland were the subject, together with Aston Villa, of one of the earliest football paintings in the world when in 1895 the artist Thomas M. M. Hemy painted a picture of a game between the teams at Sunderland's then ground Newcastle Road.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Henchard|first=James|date=21 November 2017|title=The famous Sunderland v Aston Villa painting that hangs in the lobby of the SoL — a history of|url=https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2017/11/21/16681978/the-famous-sunderland-v-aston-villa-painting-that-hangs-in-the-lobby-of-the-sol-a-history-of|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Roker Report|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112003733/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2017/11/21/16681978/the-famous-sunderland-v-aston-villa-painting-that-hangs-in-the-lobby-of-the-sol-a-history-of|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Thomas Hemy Sunderland v Aston Villa 1895 A Corner Kick.jpg|thumbnail|right|One of the earliest football paintings in the world, Thomas MM Hemy's "Sunderland v. Aston Villa 1895" depicts a match between the two most successful English teams of the decade.]]

In 1973, comedian Bobby Knoxall recorded "Sunderland All the Way" for the 1973 FA Cup Final record.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bennett|first=Steve|date=21 July 2009|title=End of a North-East legend|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/07/21/9324/end_of_a_north-east_legend|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Chortle|archive-date=20 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920183229/https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2009/07/21/9324/end_of_a_north-east_legend|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1996, a group of Sunderland fans under the name Simply Red and White released a song called "Daydream Believer (Cheer Up Peter Reid)" to the melody of "Daydream Believer" dedicated to the manager Peter Reid. The song peaked at number 41 in the UK Singles & Album Chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-easts-top-tweeters-revealed-1375417|title=North East's top Tweeters revealed: No 50 to 35|first=Evening|last=Chronicle|date=29 November 2012|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=20 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201256/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-easts-top-tweeters-revealed-1375417|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/daydream-believer-(cheer-up-peter-reid)/|title=daydream believer (cheer up peter reid) &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com|access-date=20 June 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507130257/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/daydream-believer-(cheer-up-peter-reid)/|url-status=live}}</ref> The fans recorded the song due to the fact the manager often had a dour demeanour, whilst the team was doing well, and even won promotion at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingferret.com/2021/01/25/football-songs-a-brief-introduction/|title=Football songs – a brief introduction|first=Mark|last=Davinson|date=25 January 2021|access-date=20 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201321/https://www.sportingferret.com/2021/01/25/football-songs-a-brief-introduction/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mrdraytonshumanjukebox.com/project/martyn-cheer-up-peter-reid/|title=Martyn: Cheer Up Peter Reid &#124; Mr Draytons Human Jukebox|access-date=20 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202933/http://mrdraytonshumanjukebox.com/project/martyn-cheer-up-peter-reid/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sunderland were mentioned in the May 1997 State Opening of Parliament when Chris Mullin, MP for Sunderland South, stated in his seconding of Queen Elizabeth II's Gracious Speech: <blockquote>Sunderland has been through hard times in the past, and has survived; as before, we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and come out fighting. Sunderland looks to the future, not the past, and we shall soon be back in the Premier League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 14 May 1997 (pt 5)|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo970514/debtext/70514-05.htm|access-date=23 August 2020|website=UK Parliament|archive-date=28 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028142509/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo970514/debtext/70514-05.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=First Day: 14 May 1997: House of Commons debates|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1997-05-14a.45.1|access-date=23 August 2020|website=TheyWorkForYou|archive-date=4 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204033033/https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1997-05-14a.45.1|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

In 1998 and following the demolition of Roker Park, playwright Tom Kelly and actor Paul Dunn created a one-man play called "I Left My Heart at Roker Park" about a fan struggling with the move and what Roker Park meant for him – the play originally ran in 1997, and has had a few revivals since.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2014|title='I Left My Heart In Roker Park' – Roker Report Meets Paul Dunn|url=https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/11/5990401/i-left-my-heart-at-roker-park-roker-report-meets-paul-dunn|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Roker Report|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024213732/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2014/8/11/5990401/i-left-my-heart-at-roker-park-roker-report-meets-paul-dunn|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 May 2017|title=Share your Stadium of Light tales|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/share-your-stadium-light-tales-357411|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sunderland Echo|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707222335/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/share-your-stadium-light-tales-357411|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, the BBC broadcast a six-part documentary named ''Premier Passions''. It chronicled Sunderland's 1996–97 season, in which the club was relegated from the Premier League, the year after winning promotion from the Football League First Division, and the move to Stadium of Light.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hunter|first=James|date=11 June 2017|title=Sunderland's Premier Passions remembered 20 years after fly-on-the-wall TV came to Roker Park|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderlands-premier-passions-remembered-20-13166765|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Evening Chronicle|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814031129/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderlands-premier-passions-remembered-20-13166765|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, Netflix released an eight-part documentary called Sunderland 'Til I Die. It documented the events around Sunderland's 2017–18 season which saw them relegated from the EFL Championship.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afc-netflix-documentary-gets-15064738 |title=Sunderland AFC Netflix documentary gets a release date and a title too |last=Johns |first=Craig |date=26 November 2018 |website=Evening Chronicle |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329224455/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afc-netflix-documentary-gets-15064738 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of the success of the first series, a second season was confirmed, despite opposition from many club members.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pantoja|first=Stacy|date=25 August 2019|title='Sunderland 'Til I Die' Season 2 Will Happen Despite Club Members' Disapproval To Documentary Series|url=https://www.btimesonline.com/articles/117639/20190825/sunderland-til-i-die-season-2-will-happen-despite-club-members-disapproval-to-documentary-series.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920135813/https://en.businesstimes.cn/articles/117639/20190825/sunderland-til-i-die-season-2-will-happen-despite-club-members-disapproval-to-documentary-series.htm|archive-date=20 September 2019|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Business Times}}</ref> The opposition was mostly to do with players fearing the series would cause their failures being associated with them for the rest of their careers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mullen|first=Scott|date=9 August 2019|title=Sunderland: Jack Ross on Netflix, promotion & his legacy|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49254051|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915223847/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49254051|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Nicknames== {{main|Mackems}} thumbnail|left|A Black Cat logo on the exterior of the Stadium of Light Sunderland's official nickname is "The Black Cats". The name was made official in a public vote in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ross|first1=Ian|last2=Sills|first2=Adam|date=22 February 2000|title=Sunderland find new identity as The Black Cats|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/feb/22/newsstory.sport4|access-date=5 July 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608182611/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/feb/22/newsstory.sport4|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the nickname being made official only relatively recently, the black cat has been used as an emblem of the club throughout most of its history. Photographs exist of players holding a black cat which made Roker Park its home in the 1900s and 1910s, and which was fed and watered by the football club.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 August 2016|title=The Original Sunderland Black Cat|url=http://ryehillfootball.co.uk/stories/the-original-sunderland-black-cat/|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Ryehill Football|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107224139/http://ryehillfootball.co.uk/stories/the-original-sunderland-black-cat/|url-status=live}}</ref> The club's first official badge featured a black cat sitting prominently in its centre and since the 1960s the emblem of the Sunderland A.F.C. Supporters Association has been a black cat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safcsahoe.co.uk/|title=Heart of England Branch|website=Sunderland A.F.C. Supporters Association|access-date=19 September 2008|archive-date=7 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007073048/http://www.safcsahoe.co.uk/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thebeautifulhistory.wordpress.com/clubs/sunderland/|title=Sunderland|date=28 May 2011|website=The Beautiful History|access-date=6 August 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807033402/https://thebeautifulhistory.wordpress.com/clubs/sunderland/|url-status=live}}</ref> A Sunderland supporter, Billy Morris, took a black cat in his chest pocket as a good luck charm to the 1937 FA Cup final in which Sunderland brought home the trophy for the first time and reference has also been made to a "Black Cat Battery", an Artillery battery based on the River Wear during the Napoleonic Wars.<ref name="nickname" />

Before this when the team still played at Roker Park, they were known as the Rokerites. This was made obsolete after the club left Roker Park for the Stadium of Light in 1997.<ref name="nickname">{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/page/BlackCatsNickname|title=Black Cats Nickname|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=19 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725202042/https://www.safc.com/page/BlackCatsNickname|archive-date=25 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other nicknames used by the media include the Mackems (believed to be related to the ship building industry and a name for inhabitants of Sunderland) or the Wearsiders, as a reference to the river that the city and broader region of Wearside sits alongside, and in contrast to their Tyneside rivals Newcastle United.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/entire-sunderland-squad-told-isolate-and-warned-stick-strict-rules-christmas-effectively-cancelled-3072833|title=Entire Sunderland squad told to isolate and warned to stick to strict rules as Christmas effectively cancelled|first=Jason|last=Jones|date=18 December 2020|publisher=SunderlandEcho.com|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218123651/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/entire-sunderland-squad-told-isolate-and-warned-stick-strict-rules-christmas-effectively-cancelled-3072833|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-news-and-transfer-rumours-championship-winger-linked-former-coach-joins-sam-allardyce-west-brom-3073349|title=Sunderland AFC news and transfer rumours: Championship winger linked as former coach joins Sam Allardyce at West Brom|first=Joe|last=Nicholson|date=18 December 2020|publisher=SunderlandEcho.com|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=18 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218171145/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-afc-news-and-transfer-rumours-championship-winger-linked-former-coach-joins-sam-allardyce-west-brom-3073349|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55337035|title=Sunderland Covid-19 outbreak: Wearsiders postpone next three matches|date=16 December 2020|publisher=BBC.co.uk|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=17 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217070529/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55337035|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ChronicleBlackCat>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/why-sunderland-called-black-cats-17687845|title=Why are Sunderland called the Black Cats? Wearsiders' nickname explained|date=4 February 2020|website=ChronicleLive|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101002531/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/why-sunderland-called-black-cats-17687845|url-status=live}}</ref>

As well as club nicknames, names have been used to define memorable periods in the club's history. The "Team of All Talents" moniker was used during Sunderland's successful period in the 1890s,<ref name="History" /> and Sunderland were known as the "Bank of England club" during the 1950s. This was in reference to the club's spending in the transfer market at the time, which saw the transfer-record broken twice.<ref name="History" />

==Statistics and records== {{main|List of Sunderland A.F.C. records and statistics}} {{See also|Sunderland A.F.C. league record by opponent|List of Sunderland A.F.C. seasons}} right|thumb|300px|League positions since 1890–91 season. The holder of the record for the most league appearances is Jimmy Montgomery, having made 527&nbsp;first team appearances between 1961 and 1976.<ref>Dykes, pp. 280–282.</ref> The club's top league goal scorer is Charlie Buchan, who scored 209&nbsp;goals from 1911 to 1925;<ref name="soccerbaserecords">{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/team_records.sd?teamid=2493|title=Sunderland all time records|website=Soccerbase|access-date=19 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926194651/http://www.soccerbase.com/team_records.sd?teamid=2493|archive-date=26 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bobby Gurney is the record goalscorer over all competitions with 228&nbsp;goals between 1926&nbsp;and&nbsp;1939.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/PlayersArticleDetail/0,,10281~1929361,00.html |title=11. Bobby Gurney |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=8 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407043306/http://www.safc.premiumtv.co.uk.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/PlayersArticleDetail/0,,10281~1929361,00.html |archive-date=7 April 2018|url-status=dead }}</ref> Dave Halliday holds the record for the most goals scored in a season: 43&nbsp;in the 1928–29 season in the First Division.<ref name="soccerbaserecords"/> As of October 2014 John O'Shea is the most capped player for the club, making 100&nbsp;appearances for the Republic of Ireland.<ref name="soccerbaserecords"/>

The club's widest margin of victory in the league was in the 9–1 win against Newcastle United in the First Division in 1908. Sunderland's biggest ever win in the FA Cup was an 11–1 victory against Fairfield in 1895.<ref name="page443"/> Their heaviest defeats in the league were 8–0 against Sheffield Wednesday in 1911, West Ham United in 1968, Watford in 1982 and Southampton in 2014<ref name="page443">Mason, p. 443.</ref> Sunderland joined the top division in England, The Football League, in the 1890–91 season and were not relegated until 1957–58 (a span of 67 years, although only 56 seasons of competitive football were played due to the suspension of league football between 1915–1919 and 1939–1946 due to the First and Second World Wars). In October 2015, Sunderland defeated rivals Newcastle United for the sixth consecutive time, a new record.

Sunderland's record home attendance is 75,200, set during a sixth round FA Cup replay against Derby County on 8 March 1933.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stadiumguide.com/rokerpark.htm|title=Roker Park|website=The Stadium Guide|access-date=21 December 2008|archive-date=23 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223142716/http://www.stadiumguide.com/rokerpark.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Record goalscorers === Ten Sunderland players have scored 100 goals or more in league competitions.<ref name="auto" /> They are as follows:

{| class="wikitable" ! !Name !Goals |- |'''1''' |{{flagicon|ENG}} Charlie Buchan |209 |- |'''2''' |{{flagicon|ENG}} Bobby Gurney |205 |- |'''3''' |{{flagicon|SCO}} Dave Halliday |156 |- |'''4''' |{{flagicon|ENG}} George Holley |150 |- |'''5''' |{{flagicon|SCO}} John Campbell |133 |- |'''6''' |{{flagicon|ENG}} Raich Carter |118 |- |'''7''' |{{flagicon|ENG}} Kevin Phillips |113 |- |'''8''' |{{flagicon|SCO}} Jimmy Millar |109 |- |'''9''' |{{flagicon|ENG}} Arthur Bridgett |108 |- |'''10''' |{{flagicon|SCO}} Patsy Gallacher |100 |- |} Bobby Gurney holds the record number of goals in all competitions with a combined total of 228 in league and cup games.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bobby Gurney |url=http://www.thestatcat.co.uk/Player.aspx?PlayerID=383 |website=The Stat Cat |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924020430/http://thestatcat.co.uk/Player.aspx?PlayerID=383 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Transfers=== The biggest transfer fee Sunderland have ever received for one of their players is £30 million for Jordan Pickford, who moved to Everton in July 2017.<ref name=":5" /> This was also the biggest fee Sunderland have received for a player produced by the Sunderland academy. The biggest transfer fee paid by Sunderland is €31.5 million for Habib Diarra, who was bought from Strasbourg on 1 July 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czeyyzzzk6lo |title=Sunderland sign Diarra from Strasbourg in club record deal |work=BBC Sport |last=Sutcliffe |first=Steve |date=1 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025 |archive-date=2 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702025319/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czeyyzzzk6lo |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Overall=== *Seasons spent at Level 1 of the football league system: 86 *Seasons spent at Level 2 of the football league system: 33 *Seasons spent at Level 3 of the football league system: 5 *Seasons spent at Level 4 of the football league system: 0 As of the 2024–25 season<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sunderland AFC|url=https://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/league/sund.htm|access-date=6 July 2020|website=European Football Statistics|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706085325/http://european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/league/sund.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Kit sponsorship==

The first sponsor to appear on Sunderland kits was Cowie's, the business group of then chairman Tom Cowie, between 1983 and 1985.<ref name="kit" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Sir-Tom-gets-own-campus.598289.jp|title=Sir Tom gets own campus!|date=27 August 2002|website=Sunderland Echo|access-date=8 January 2009|archive-date=1 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201083138/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Sir-Tom-gets-own-campus.598289.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref> The club was sponsored by the Vaux Breweries between 1985 and 1999, with drink brands such as Lambtons sometimes appearing on kits. Subsequently, the club were sponsored by Sunderland car dealership company Reg Vardy from 1999 to 2007.<ref name="kit">{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/page/Kit|title=Kit History|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=8 January 2009|archive-date=25 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725202237/http://www.safc.com/page/Kit|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunderland were sponsored by the Irish bookmaker Boylesports, who signed a four-year contract with the club in 2007 estimated to be worth £8&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arena/a-safe-bet-38737.html|title=A safe bet|website=Irish Examiner|date=1 August 2007|access-date=1 December 2018|archive-date=2 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202070440/https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/arena/a-safe-bet-38737.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2010, Sunderland signed a two-year shirt sponsorship deal with tombola, a local online bingo company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.safc.com/news/20100413/tombola-to-become-club-sponsor_2256213_2022672|title=Tombola to become club sponsor|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|date=13 April 2010|access-date=13 April 2010|archive-date=16 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416163716/http://www.safc.com/news/20100413/tombola-to-become-club-sponsor_2256213_2022672|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 June 2012, Sunderland announced the strengthening of their partnership with the Invest in Africa initiative, with the initiative becoming the club's shirt sponsor for two years. The project is closely linked with Tullow Oil.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 June 2012|title=Sunderland steps up African partnership|url=https://www.safc.com/news/20120625/sunderland-steps-up-african-partnership_2256213_2821265|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627225108/https://www.safc.com/news/20120625/sunderland-steps-up-african-partnership_2256213_2821265|archive-date=27 June 2012|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Sunderland A.F.C.}}</ref> However, after a year the club announced a new sponsorship deal with South African company Bidvest. On 1 June 2015 Sunderland announced a new sponsorship with Dafabet which stretched the next three seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Johns|first=Craig|date=1 June 2015|title=Sunderland AFC announce new shirt sponsor will be eGaming operator Dafabet|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afc-announce-new-shirt-9365782|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Evening Chronicle|archive-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518190041/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-afc-announce-new-shirt-9365782|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunderland next partnered with Betdaq, however after a single season the Irish gambling company gifted their front-of-shirt rights to charity Children with Cancer UK.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tips.betdaq.com/betdaq-announces-title-sponsorship-deal-with-sunderland-afc/|title=BETDAQ’s title sponsorship with Sunderland AFC|website=Betdaq|date=5 July 2018|access-date=26 May 2025|archive-date=2 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602140503/https://tips.betdaq.com/betdaq-announces-title-sponsorship-deal-with-sunderland-afc/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/revealed-sunderland-afc-unveil-bold-new-home-strip-to-mixed-response-from-supporters-117093|title=Revealed! Sunderland AFC unveil bold new home strip to mixed response from supporters|date=21 May 2019|website=Sunderland Echo|access-date=26 May 2025|archive-date=25 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625030230/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/revealed-sunderland-afc-unveil-bold-new-home-strip-to-mixed-response-from-supporters-117093|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the expiry of Betdaq's partnership, local company Great Annual Savings Group expanded their existing deal with the club to become shirt sponsor for the next two years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://wear.business/sunderland-afc-announce-new-principal-partner-deal-with-great-annual-savings-group/|title=Sunderland AFC announce new principal partner deal with Great Annual Savings Group|website=Wear Business|date=20 July 2020|access-date=26 May 2025|archive-date=2 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602140507/https://wear.business/sunderland-afc-announce-new-principal-partner-deal-with-great-annual-savings-group/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 June 2022, Sunderland announced a three-year deal with Spreadex Sports.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-announce-new-main-club-sponsor-ahead-of-latest-kit-release-3749394|title=Sunderland announce new main club sponsor ahead of latest kit release|website=Sunderland Echo|date=29 June 2022|access-date=26 May 2025|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811105037/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-announce-new-main-club-sponsor-ahead-of-latest-kit-release-3749394|url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 June 2025, Sunderland announced a new sponsorship with W88 for the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2025/june/27/w88-named-principal-partner/|title=W88 named principal partner|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|date=27 June 2025|access-date=27 June 2025|archive-date=16 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716124630/https://www.safc.com/news/2025/june/27/w88-named-principal-partner/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first kit manufacturer to appear on Sunderland kits was Umbro, between 1975 and 1981. French brand Le Coq Sportif produced kits between 1981 and 1983. Nike's first stint as kit manufacturer came between 1983 and 1986, before kits from Patrick (1986–88), Hummel (1988–94), Avec (1994–97) and Asics (1997–00). Nike returned between 2000 and 2004. Diadora produced kits for a solitary season, 2004–05, and Lonsdale made kits between 2005 and 2007. Umbro returned for five seasons between 2007 and 2012, before Adidas became the club's kit manufacturer for the first time in 2012. Nike then returned for a third time as Sunderland's kit manufacturer from 2020 to 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballshirtculture.com/sponsorship/sunderland-announce-nike-kit-deal.html|title=Sunderland Announce Nike Kit Deal|website=Football Shirt Culture|date=28 February 2020|access-date=26 May 2025|archive-date=2 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602140502/https://www.footballshirtculture.com/sponsorship/sunderland-announce-nike-kit-deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> From summer 2024 on an initial 5-year deal, Sunderland's shirts are provided by cult classic Hummel, producing both retro inspired (specifically a revival of the 1992 away design) and original bespoke designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2024/april/hummel-to-become-technical-kit-partner|title=Partnership: Hummel to become Technical Kit Partner|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|date=12 April 2024|access-date=26 May 2025|archive-date=12 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412111943/https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2024/april/hummel-to-become-technical-kit-partner|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- align="center" !Period !Kit manufacturer !Shirt sponsor (front) !Shirt sponsor (sleeve) |- align="center" |1975–81 || Umbro |rowspan=2|{{small|none}} |rowspan=20|{{small|none}} |- align="center" |1981–83 || Le Coq Sportif |- align="center" |1983–85 |rowspan=2|Nike ||Cowie's |- align="center" |1985–86 |rowspan=5| Vaux Breweries |- align="center" |1986–88 || Patrick |- align="center" |1988–94 || Hummel |- align="center" |1994–97 || Avec |- align="center" |1997–00 || Asics |- align="center" |2000–04 ||Nike |rowspan=3| Reg Vardy |- align="center" |2004–05 || Diadora |- align="center" |2005–07 || Lonsdale |- align="center" |2007–10 |rowspan=2| Umbro || Boylesports |- align="center" |2010–12 || Tombola |- align="center" |2012–13 |rowspan=5| Adidas || Invest In Africa |- align="center" |2013–15 || Bidvest |- align="center" |2015–18 ||Dafabet |- align="center" |2018–19 ||Betdaq |- align="center" |2019–20 |rowspan=1|Children with Cancer UK |- align="center" |2020–22 |rowspan=3| Nike ||Great Annual Savings Group |- align="center" |2022–23 |rowspan=3|Spreadex Sports |- align="center" |2023–24 |Hays Travel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2023/july/safc-partner-with-hays-travel|title=SAFC partner with Hays Travel|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|date=14 July 2023|access-date=1 June 2025|archive-date=18 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718162746/https://www.safc.com/news/club-news/2023/july/safc-partner-with-hays-travel|url-status=live}}</ref> |- align="center" |2024–25 |rowspan=2| Hummel ||Seriös Group<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2024/july/12/seri-s-group-become-official-data-partner|title=Seriös Group become official data partner|website=Sunderland A.F.C|date=12 July 2024|access-date=9 August 2025|archive-date=16 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816015516/https://www.safc.com/news/2024/july/12/seri-s-group-become-official-data-partner|url-status=live}}</ref> |- align="center" |2025–26 |W88 |LiveScore<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2025/august/13/sunderland-afc-partner-with-livescore-group//|title=SUNDERLAND AFC PARTNER WITH LIVESCORE GROUP|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|date=13 August 2025|access-date=13 August 2025|archive-date=13 August 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813231604/https://www.safc.com/news/2025/august/13/sunderland-afc-partner-with-livescore-group/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- align="center" |}

==Players== {{See also|Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players}}

===First team squad=== {{updated|2 March 2026}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/teams|title=Teams|website=Sunderland A.F.C.|access-date=17 August 2025|archive-date=2 June 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602221856/https://www.safc.com/teams/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=3|nat=LAT|pos=DF|name=Dennis Cirkin}} {{Fs player|no=5|nat=NIR|pos=DF|name=Daniel Ballard}} {{Fs player|no=7|nat=MAR|pos=MF|name=Chemsdine Talbi}} {{Fs player|no=9|nat=NED|pos=FW|name=Brian Brobbey}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=ECU|pos=FW|name=Nilson Angulo}} {{Fs player|no=11|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Chris Rigg}} {{Fs player|no=12|nat=ESP|pos=FW|name=Eliezer Mayenda}} {{Fs player|no=13|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Luke O'Nien}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=Romaine Mundle}} {{Fs player|no=15|nat=PAR|pos=DF|name=Omar Alderete}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=MOZ|pos=DF|name=Reinildo}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=HAI|pos=FW|name=Wilson Isidor}} {{Fs player|no=19|nat=SEN|pos=MF|name=Habib Diarra}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=20|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=Nordi Mukiele}} {{Fs player|no=21|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Simon Moore}} {{Fs player|no=22|nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Robin Roefs}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=BFA|pos=MF|name=Bertrand Traoré}} {{Fs player|no=27|nat=COD|pos=MF|name=Noah Sadiki}} {{Fs player|no=28|nat=FRA|pos=MF|name=Enzo Le Fée}} {{Fs player|no=29|nat=NGA|pos=FW|name=Ahmed Abdullahi}} {{Fs player|no=30|nat=SER|pos=MF|name=Milan Aleksić}} {{Fs player|no=31|nat=SWE|pos=GK|name=Melker Ellborg}} {{Fs player|no=32|nat=NIR|pos=DF|name=Trai Hume}} {{fs player|no=34|nat=SUI|pos=MF|name=Granit Xhaka|other=captain}} {{Fs player|no=37|nat=CIV|pos=FW|name=Jocelin Ta Bi}} {{Fs player|no=46|nat=FRA|pos=MF|name=Abdoullah Ba}} {{Fs end}}

===Out on loan=== {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=Anthony Patterson|other=at Millwall until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Dan Neil|other=at Ipswich Town until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=24|nat=CIV|pos=MF|name=Simon Adingra|other=at Monaco until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=26|nat=COD|pos=DF|name=Arthur Masuaku|other=at Lens until 30 June 2026}} {{fs player|no=33|nat=NOR|pos=DF|name=Leo Hjelde|other=at Sheffield United until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=42|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=Aji Alese|other=at Portsmouth until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=Niall Huggins|other=at Wycombe Wanderers until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=Timothée Pembélé|other=at Le Havre until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=NED|pos=DF|name=Jenson Seelt|other=at Wolfsburg until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=IRL|pos=MF|name=Alan Browne|other=at Middlesbrough until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=UKR|pos=FW|name=Nazariy Rusyn|other=at Arka Gdynia until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=POR|pos=FW|name=Luís Semedo|other=at Moreirense until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs player|no=|nat=UKR|pos=FW|name=Timur Tutierov|other=at Exeter City until 30 June 2026}} {{Fs end}} <!-- ===Other players under contract=== {{updated|17 August 2025}} {{Fs start}} {{Fs end}} --> ===Notable players=== {{main|List of Sunderland A.F.C. players}}

===Reserves and academy=== {{main|Sunderland A.F.C. Under-21s and Academy}}

==Club officials== {{main|List of Sunderland A.F.C. managers}}

===Board of directors=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position !! Name |- |Chairman || Kyril Louis-Dreyfus |- | rowspan="6" |Non Executive Director || Maurice Louis-Dreyfus |- | Juan Sartori |- | Igor Levin |- | Patrick Treuer |- | Simon Vumbaca |- | Leo Pearlman |- |}

''Information correct as of 18 August 2025''<ref name="clubpersonnel">{{cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/club-information/club-personnel |title=Club Personnel |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=18 August 2025 |archive-date=3 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603134545/https://www.safc.com/club-information/club-personnel |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Executive Team=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position !! Name |- |Chief Business Officer || David Bruce |- |Director of Football | Florent Ghisolfi |- |Sporting Director | Kristjaan Speakman |}

''Information correct as of 18 August 2025''<ref name="clubpersonnel"/>

===Coaching staff=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position !! Name |- |Manager | Régis Le Bris |- |Assistant Manager | Luciano Vulcano |- | rowspan="3" |First-Team Coach |Alessandro Barcherini |- |Isidre Ramón Madir |- | Michael Proctor |- |Goalkeeping Coach | Neil Cutler |- |Under-21 Lead | Graeme Murty |- | rowspan="2" |Under-18 Lead | Finbarr Lynch |- | Jordan Moore |}

''Information correct as of 18 August 2025''<ref name="clubpersonnel"/>

===Football operation=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position !! Name |- |Head of Performance & Medicine || Jamie Harley |- |Academy Manager | Robin Nicholls |- |Head of Analysis & Insights | Ross Appleton |- |Head of Football Administration & Operations | Samuel Ash |- |Head of Coaching | Stuart English |- |Head of Player Recruitment | Stuart Harvey |}

''Information correct as of 18 August 2025''<ref name="clubpersonnel"/>

===Business operation=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Position !! Name |- |Chief Commercial Officer || Ashley Peden |- |Head of Facilities | Chris Ferguson |- |Head of Events | Nik Chapman |- |Head of Communications & Digital Media | Oscar Chamberlain |- |Chief Operating Officer | Paul Kingsmore |- |Business Management Accountant | Roger Whitehill |- |Head of Safety | Steve Wood |}

''Information correct as of 18 August 2025''<ref name="clubpersonnel"/>

==Honours== The following are the honours Sunderland have achieved since their foundation in 1879.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.safc.com/history/trophy-cabinet |title=Roll of Honour |website=Sunderland A.F.C. |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-date=15 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115165714/http://www.safc.com/history/trophy-cabinet |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWfootball.htm |title=Football and the Second World War |website=Spartacus |access-date=8 September 2010|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225213503/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWfootball.htm |archive-date=25 February 2009 }}</ref>

'''League''' *First Division (level 1) **Champions: 1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95, 1901–02, 1912–13, 1935–36 **Runners-up: 1893–94, 1897–98, 1900–01, 1922–23, 1934–35 *Second Division / First Division / Championship (level 2) **Champions: 1975–76, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2004–05, 2006–07 **Promoted: 1963–64, 1979–80 **Play-off winners: 1990,<ref>Due to financial irregularities, Swindon Town (play-off final winners) were prevented from taking their place in the top division, which was awarded to the losing finalists, Sunderland.</ref> 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheffield United v Sunderland LIVE: Championship play-off final score & updates |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62vgp6z7q3t |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=23 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723054030/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62vgp6z7q3t |url-status=live }}</ref> *Third Division / League One (level 3) **Champions: 1987–88 **Play-off winners: 2022

'''Cup''' *FA Cup **Winners: 1936–37, 1972–73 **Runners-up: 1912–13, 1991–92 *Football League Cup **Runners-up: 1984–85, 2013–14 *FA Charity Shield **Winners: 1936 **Runners-up: 1937 *EFL Trophy **Winners: 2020–21 **Runners-up: 2018–19 *Sheriff of London Charity Shield **Winners: 1903 *Football World Championship **Winners: 1892, 1893, 1895

'''Awards''' * BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year Award : 1973

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book|author1=Paul Days|author2=John Hudson|author3=Bernard Callaghan |title=Sunderland AFC: The Official History 1879–2000|publisher=Business Education Publishers Ltd|date=1 December 1999|page=336|isbn=978-0-9536984-1-7}} * {{cite book|author=Garth Dykes|author2=Doug Lamming |title=All The Lads: A Complete Who's Who of Sunderland A.F.C.|publisher=Polar Print Group Ltd|date=November 2000|page=312|isbn=978-1-899538-14-0}} * {{cite book|author=Rob Mason|title=Sunderland: The Complete Record|publisher=Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd|date=October 2005|isbn=978-1-85983-472-5}}

==External links== {{Portal bar|North East England|Association football|English football}} {{Spoken Wikipedia|Sunderland A.F.C.ogg|date=22 September 2010}} * {{Commons category-inline|Sunderland AFC}} * {{Official website|https://safc.com/}} {{BBC Football Info|BBClinkname=sunderland}} * [http://www.thestatcat.co.uk Sunderland AFC Statistics] * [http://www.answers-to-questions.info/England-Football-Play-Offs.aspx?team=Sunderland Sunderland play-off record]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509195033/http://www.answers-to-questions.info/England-Football-Play-Offs.aspx?team=Sunderland |date=9 May 2015 }}. * [https://safc.blog/ SAFC Stats and Season Reviews from 1890–1891 to date] * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/the_last_pass The last pass The role of football clubs in WW1 including Jimmy Seed]

{{Sunderland A.F.C.}} {{Sunderland A.F.C. seasons}} {{Premier League}} {{EFL Championship}} {{City of sunderland}} Category:Sunderland A.F.C. Category:1879 establishments in England Category:Association football clubs established in 1879 Category:FA Cup winners Category:EFL Trophy winners Category:Men's football clubs in England Category:Football clubs in Tyne and Wear Category:English Football League clubs Category:Premier League clubs Category:United Soccer Association imported teams Category:Mining football clubs in England Category:Sunderland Category:Professional football clubs in England