The Official Website of Sunderland AFC

Sunderland and District Teachers is founded by Scot James Allan, an Edinburgh school-teacher working in Sunderland.

October: The 'and District Teachers' is dropped from Sunderland's name. Click here for more. 

November: Sunderland play their first competitive game when Ferryhill, from County Durham, are the visitors in the Northumberland and District Challenge Cup. The match is played at Sunderland's first ground Blue House Field. Sunderland wear blue.

Sunderland move their home to Groves Field in Ashbrooke. They only played four games there. Click here for more.

Sunderland move north, across the River Wear to 'the Dolly Field'.

Sunderland move home again, this time to Abbs Field in Fulwell, close to what would become Roker Park.  Click here for more.

Sunderland change their colours to red and white … but their famous stripes would not appear for another two years.

Sunderland apply to join the Football League but are turned down.

Sunderland become the first new club to join the Football League, joining the dozen founder members.

Sunderland lose 3-2 to Burnley in their inaugural League game. Click here for more.

Sunderland are crowned champions of the Football League, and reach the FA Cup semi-finals. They become known as 'The Team of all the Talents'.

Liverpool are the first visitors to Roker Park, a game which Sunderland won 1-0 in front of a crowd of 30,000.

Robert Kyle becomes the club's manager and his 23-year reign as boss set a record as Sunderland's longest-serving manager. Click here for more.

Dec - Sunderland beat their rivals Newcastle 9-1 at St. James' Park. It remains the Wearsiders' biggest ever away win. Click here for more.

Sunderland bring the Championship title back to Roker Park, winning the League title for a fifth time. They also reach the FA Cup final for the first time, losing 1-0 to Aston Villa.

Johnny Cochrane takes over as Sunderland's manager.

Horatio 'Raich' Stratton Carter signs for Sunderland. He is arguably the best ever player to wear the red and white stripes. Click here for more.

A club record crowd of 75,118 crams into Roker Park to see an FA Cup quarter-final replay between Sunderland and Derby.

Sunderland become champions for a sixth time, scoring 109 goals en route to winning the league.

Sunderland beat Preston 3-1 to win the FA Cup for a first time. Click here for more.

Sunderland are found guilty of making illegal payments. The maximum wage is abolished five years later. Click here for more.

Oct: 'King' Charlie Hurley makes his debut in a 7-0 defeat!

Spurs, en route to completing the first ever Double, came to Roker Park in the sixth round of the FA Cup. A crowd of 61,000 watches the sides draw - and the Roker Roar is in full force.

Sunderland pay Middlesbrough £48,000 to sign goal machine Brian Clough. Click here for more.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery, the club's record appearance maker, makes his debut.

Sunderland, led by Charlie Hurley, are promoted back to the First Division.

Sunderland have a sensational cup marathon with the mighty Manchester United. Twice United escape with a draw - before they win the third game easily.

Roker Park hosts World Cup football.

Sunderland reach the Milk Cup final where they lose to Norwich City at Wembley. A few weeks later they are relegated and boss Len Ashurst loses his job. Click here for more.

Lawrie McMenemy starts an ill-fated spell as Sunderland manager.

Sunderland, managed by Denis Smith, bounce back at the first attempt, winning the Third Division title in style.

Sunderland beat Newcastle in the Division Two play-offs … but lose to Swindon in the final. The Black Cats are promoted anyway, due to financial irregularities by Swindon.

Sunderland are relegated from the Premiership with a then record low points total of 19.

Mick McCarthy steers Sunderland to the First Division title. It is the third promotion in less than 10 years.

Sunderland's fans endure another terrible season - this time they collect 15 points on the way to finishing bottom. It is another new record

The Drumaville Consortium takes ownership of Sunderland AFC, headed by ex-player Niall Quinn.

Roy Keane, the former Manchester United captain, is named Sunderland manager.