When Sunderland AFC Were World Champions!
Sunderland AFC; Champions Of The World! Since 1876 an unofficial world championship had been played for between English and Scottish clubs with both countries then pre eminent in the game of football. Sunderland’s victory in this game gave The Black Cats the crown of World Champions, a unique double as…
George Monaghan – Sunderland AFC 1885 – 1888
George Monaghan Sunderland AFC 1886/87 Back row – Wallace, Kirtley, Potts, Wilkinson, Smart, Dale, Reed Front row – Lord, Davison, Stewart, Monaghan, McMillan, Gloag One of the most difficult things about researching the history of Sunderland AFC is the lack of information on the early…
Sunderland’s First Football Match
Following the release of Founding Fathers, Volume I; we thought that Sunderland supporters may wish to read about the club's very first competitive football match. Below is an extract taken from the book for the 1880/81 season. This was the backdrop to the club's first competitive fixture ever played. Imagine…
Leigh Richmond Roose; SAFC War Hero
Leigh Richmond Roose A remarkable man Roose was born on 26 November 1877 at Holt, 5 miles East of Wrexham, Wales. His Father Richmond Leigh Roose was a Presbyterian Minister in the Village. It is almost certain that his Father would have kept company with the iconic writer HG Wells…
The Hemy Painting
Thomas Marie Madawaska Hemy There are few Sunderland supporters who would not instantly recognise The Hemy Painting that hangs proudly in the main entrance to The Stadium Of Light. Reputed to be the oldest painting of a football match anywhere in the world Ryehill Football is presenting to Sunderland football…
SAFC Related Historic T-Shirts
Charlie Buchan Loves SAFC! Given the massive archive at our disposal we thought it might be an idea to offer some historically minded merchandise for sale via the site. In time this will include posters, mugs and mouse mats etc. However at the minute we are working on a series…
The Pinnace Collection
The Godfrey Phillips Pinnace Collection In the very early 1920s, the London based Godfrey Phillips tobacco company produced a series of now highly collectible "Pinnace" football cards to stiffen up the packets of their cigarettes. In the 21st century these cards are iconic and feature some of the all time…
Champions Of The World – Sunderland AFC 1890/91 to 1899/1900
Champions Of The World - Sunderland AFC 1890/91 to 1899/1900 Having been elected to the Football League in 1890/91, Sunderland set about dominating the English game. With the world of soccer in its infancy it is the British game that is the heartbeat of association football. By 1895 Sunderland has…