1894
Robert McNeill (159 apps, no goals) debuts in a 3-0 win over Burnley
1934
Patsy Gallacher's hat-trick helps sink Chelsea 4-0 at Roker Park
1979
A 2-0 win over Cambridge is sealed in 15 minutes by Buckley & Elliott
Record in 1st Class Competitions
Up to and including match v. Brentford on 5/9/2026
Matches Played
5,701
Number of...
Number of different players to...
Matches won
2,279
Matches drawn
1,404
Matches lost
2,018
Goals scored
8,707
Goals conceded
7,977
Matches scored in
4,283
Matches not conceded in
1,559
Make an appearance
1,184
Start a match
1,140
Come on as a substitute
532
Be substituted
615
Never appear but be a sub
61
Score a goal
650
Be sent off
144
Club Formation
Sunderland AFC formed on October 1879, at the British School in Norfolk Street, Sunderland. This is a given for all Sunderland fans and the club itself. Yet there is no factual evidence to support it. To believe it is to believe error-strewn anecdotes and stories published many years later.
There is now a substantial collection of primary source evidence, reported in newspapers from 1879 to 1883, that simply does not support the 1879 date. Furthermore, it provides a consistent set of facts from which the only logical conclusion is that Sunderland AFC formed on 25th September 1880 at Rectory Park School, Sunderland.
All the evidence we have concerning the formation is available on this website for anyone with an interest to examine. In our view, 25th September 1880 is the formation date of SAFC and should be celebrated.
Match Data Status
Basic Match Details
All seasons
Sunderland Team, Manager and Scorers
All seasons
Opposition Team, Manager and Scorers
All seasons
Goal Sequences and Times
All seasons
Grounds and Attendances
All seasons