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Sunderland FC started life as the Sunderland & District Teachers AFC.

Only Teachers Need Apply

In 1879, James Allen, a teacher at the Hendon Boarding School, formed the club, with membership open only to those in the teaching profession.

A year later the club opened its membership to non-teachers and the current name was adopted.

In 1890 Sunderland FC became the first new club to be voted into the Football League, replacing Stoke.

Early Success

They quickly made their mark, winning the League championship in 1892, 1893 and 1895, and finishing as runners up in 1894.

Move to Roker Park

In 1898 the club moved to Roker Park, which would be their home for the next 99 years.

Sunderland won their fourth League title in 1902, and their fifth title followed 1913. That year they narrowly missed out on the double, losing 0-1 to Aston Villa in the FA Cup final.

The 1920s were a relatively lean time, although the club usually finished near the top of the First Division. Their sixth league title was won in 1936 and a year later they won the FA Cup for the first time.

The Bank of England Team

After the Second World War, the club's policy of paying large transfer fees earned them the nickname of "The Bank of England" team.

However, the free spending did not bring success and in 1958 they were relegated to the Second Division. (Sunderland's unbroken stay of 68 years in the top flight is only surpassed by Arsenal).

In 1964 they were promoted back to Division One, but they were never far from the foot of the table and in 1970 they dropped back into Division Two.

FA Cup Giantkillers

In 1973, while still a Second Division side, Sunderland reached the FA Cup final where they met Don Revie's great Leeds side. In one of the most romantic FA Cup feats ever, the rank outsiders famously won the match by the only goal.

However, cup success did not translate to league form. It wasn't until 1976 that the club regained their place in top flight, and they went straight back down after a disastrous campaign.

In 1980 they returned to the top flight again, but were perennial strugglers until relegated in 1985.

Relegation to Division Three

Then in 1987, they were relegated again, this time to Division Three. The humiliation though, was short lived - the club stormed to the Third Division championship in 1988.

Two seasons later, the "Black Cats" returned to Division One despite losing in the play-off final, after Swindon were denied promotion as punishment for making illegal payments to players.

The return, though, was brief and they were back in Division Two after just one season.

Move to the Stadium of Light

The 1990s saw three promotions and two relegations as well as an FA Cup final in 1992. It also saw a move to a new stadium - the Stadium of Light - in 1997.

And the early years of the new century continued in similar vein as the club were relegated in 2003, promoted in 2005, relegated in 2006, and promoted again in 2007.

The club was in the interim taken over by the Drumaville Consortium led by former player Niall Quinn.

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