Club Name: Sunderland Association Football Club
Nicknames: The Black Cats
Ground: Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England
Capacity: 49,000
1879
Chairman: Niall Quinn
Manager: Roy Keane
1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, 1936
1937, 1973
Charity Shield/Community Shield: 1937
Sunderland AFC is a professional football club based in North-East England. Sunderland have a proud history of success at the top level of English football and have established a reputation for strong performances in the League. During their early years Sunderland lifted the League title in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1903 and 1913. Sunderland were the first team to be elected into the Football League in 1890 since the League was founded in 1888.
After the First World War Sunderland struggled to achieve the form and success they had enjoyed Pre World War One and it wasn’t until 1936 that they succeeded in lifting the League title. Sunderland had established themselves as solid fixtures in the top flight of English football and did not suffer the pain of relegation until 1958.
As well as success in the League Sunderland additionally competed strongly in the Cup competitions lifting the FA Cup in both 1937 and 1973. Overall their achievements in the League and the FA Cup rank them as the sixth most successful club in English football history.
However, in recent times Sunderland have struggled to live up to their glorious past and haven't lifted any silverware since 1973. The club reached the lowest point in their history in 1987 when they were relegated to the Third Division. Since this date the club have been re-built and re-structured many times and Sunderland have participated in both the Premier League and the lower divisions unable to maintain a firm grip at the top level of English football.
Currently hopes are high at the club after Sunderland gained promotion to the Premier League for the start of the 2007-08 season under the management of Roy Keane. Fans are hopeful that an era of solid performances can be installed at the club and that Sunderland can become permanent fixtures in the Premier League for seasons to come.
