STADIUMS: The Cedars

The second ground Sunderland are believed to have played at before setting up in Ashbrooke is on a ground near The Cedars in 1881.

Having departed from Blue House Field following the formation of rivals Sunderland Albion, Sunderland are believed to have used several local fields, one of which is where Manila Street now stands.

A blue plaque has since been put up to mark the area near the Victoria Gardens Pub, but no details are known about the exact location of the pitch or what matches were played there.

Sunderland also used Whitburn Cricket Club as a home venue for a match against North Eastern in February 1882.

However, in terms of the iconic Stadium of Light that the Lads walk out of now on a match day, this was more likely to have been a roped-off field.

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