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Sunderland Association FC Team Biography

Founded: 1879

Nickname: The Black Cats or the Mackems

Pitch: Stadium of Light

Capacity: 49, 000

Sponsor: Boyle

James Allen, a schoolteacher from Glaswegian, formed Sunderland and District Teachers’ Association Football Club in 1879. Twelve months later, they changed their name to Sunderland AFC. After being selected to the Football League in 1890, they remained in there for 68 straight years. Arsenal FC is the only club with a higher streak then Sunderland.

Only losing one home match in six years, Sunderland AFC accomplished three titles in their five years, and another lifting of the cup in 1902. An away win record 9-1 victory over Newcastle United also wrapped up a highly successful year.

After the war, Sunderland experienced many down years, before the won the FA Cup in 1973 over Leeds United. However, the Mackems experienced their worst year in 1987, but quickly got back on track with two successful years. Moving into the Stadium of Light in 1997, they have been mostly triumphant in the past years.

Sunderland's First Team Squad