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Sunderland Preview

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Whilst we`re taking a look at the Championship next year, we thought it would be useful to do a series of profiles providing just a little extra information about the new clubs who will be joining us next season.

Facts and Statistics

Stadium: The Stadium of Light
Formed: 1879
Stadium Capacity: 49,000
Chairman: Bob Murray
Average attendance: 33,904 (season just finished)
Nickname: The Black Cats
Mascots: Samson and Delilah
Record Victory: 9-1 v Newcastle United (a) in Division 1 on the 5th December 1908
Record Defeat: 0-8 v West Ham United, Div 1, 19th October 1968
Record Attendance: 48,353 v Liverpool, Premier league, April 13th 2002

How they were formed

Sunderland were formed when school teacher James Allan called together a meeting of teachers in October 1879. They formed the name Sunderland and District Teacher`s Association Football Club, however a year later, non teachers were allowed to join and the name was updated to Sunderland AFC.

Nickname

Prior to the 1997 move to The Stadium of Light, Sunderland played their home games at Roker Park, and where appropriately known by the name The Roker men or The Rokerites. The change of ground however, meant that the name no longer bared any relevance and fans were asked to think of a new name for their beloved club. The Black Cats was a finalist alongside a few other popular names including The Sols and The Mackems. It was The Black Cats however that the fans finally decided was most appropriate. The name was relevant for many reasons, one of these being its relation a gun battery in 1805 on the River wear, when the men manning the stations were said to have heard the whining of a mysterious black cat. Another superstitious reason for adopting the name, more relevant to football relates to the 1937 FA Cup Final at Wembley when a young boy brought a black kitten to the game, and Sunderland beat Preston 3-1. It was believed the black kitten brought the side luck and today fans are entertained by mascots Samson and Delilah, both black cats.


Interesting Fact:

Sunderland received the first 4 figure transfer fee in football history, it was £1000 from Middlesbrough FC for Alf Common.


The City Connection

Former on loan striker, Chris Brown who spent some time at The KC Stadium last season. Now a regular name in the Sunderland squad, the striker is following in the footsteps of his dad, Alan Brown who also played for the northern club.

Hall of fame (a few ex players):

Sam Allardyce
Raich Carter
Brian Clough
Ally McCoist

Famous Fans:

Kate Adie (news reporter)
Steve Cram (athlete)
Brian Marwood (commentator)
Neil Tennant (pet shop boys)

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