Sunderland’s 1901/02 Triumph: A Season of Steel and Spirit
When the final whistles blew on the spring of 1902, Sunderland had once again climbed to the summit of English football. It was their fourth league championship in just over a decade — a staggering record for a club still in its youth. But this title carried a particular resonance.…
Sunderland AFC – 145 Years Old Today – 25/09/25
Above is an account of the original research that revealed the 1880 SAFC founding fate of 25 September 1880. Please click on the images to expand and read. On 25 September 2025 Sunderland AFC was 145 years old. We now know of course that the football club was not formed…
Sunderland AFC – Commemorative Cards
Famous Sunderland AFC players, commemorated in a set of A4, double sided, 400gsm, full colour cards Ryehill Football is commemorating more of Sunderland AFC's players in a second series of 5 x A4 double sided cards never before read, comprehensive write-ups on each of the players featured in the set.…
Sunderland AFCs First Competitive Match – Commemorative Cards
Redcar v Sunderland AFC, 8 November 1884, The Black Cats very first competitive football match, commemorated in a set of A4, double sided, 400gsm, full colour cards On 8 November 1884 Sunderland AFC played its very first competitive match against Redcar in the English Cup (FA Cup). Ryehill Football is…
Famous Sunderland fans – Peter O’Toole
PETER O’TOOLE Peter O’Toole, one of Britain’s finest ever actors, had strong links with Sunderland. Peter’s father, Patrick O’Toole (known locally as Paddy) was born in Trimdon Street and served his apprenticeship as a plater and shipwright at Laing’s shipyard whilst Peter’s grandmother ran a secondhand furniture shop in the…
George Monaghan
George Monaghan pictured above, front row, holding the medal board Forward Sunderland AFC 1885 to 1888 SAFC Representative Number 18 - First Class Appearances 5 (2 goals) -Non Competitive 3 (2 goals) -Minor Competitions 17 (14 goals) One of the problems with the All The Lads book published some years…
Sunderland 3 v 0 Accrington, 1894
27th January 1894, English Cup 1st Round SUNDERLAND 3 ACCRINGTON 0 (Gow35,Wilson,Hannah75) Sunderland:-- Doig, Meehan. Gow, Dunlop, Auld, Wilson, Gillespie(J), Harvie, Campbell, Millar, Hannah(J). Accrington:- Haworth, Hodge, Ditchfield, Shuttleworth, Matthews, Frame, Gray, Lowery, Brown, Gillespie(M), Chadwick. Following Sunderland AFC's win over Accrington Stanley on 11 September 2021 Ryehill Football thought it would be good to…
1886/87 – SAFC Win Durham Challenge Cup!
Having defeated Whitburn in the semi final of the Durham Challenge Cup it was on to the Final where the Sunderland and Darlington clubs met for the third time at that stage of the competition, clear evidence of their continued strength. The previous troubles between the clubs had been patched…
Sunderland AFC 1902/03 – Fans Fury As SAFC Blow The League
In the 1902/03 season, Sunderland once again dominated the Football League and should have added to their 1901/02 title success. However and even with their Scottish internationals Doig, McCombie and Watson, who played against England that season, in fine form, the red and whites lost a crucial game 1 v…
In Colour; Sunderland AFC 1880 to 1945
The very first club, in world football, to have a dedicated full colour pre war football book. The Xmas present for the SAFC fan in your life for 2021. Limited edition of just 100 copies! Update - 26 September 2021 - the printed copies have arrived and are in the…