Bury FC fought adversity last season as they dealt with a plethora of off-field problems to seal promotion back to League one under the guidance of manager Ryan Lowe.
Their total of 79 points was enough to earn them a second-place finish and it was their strong mid-season form that got them over the line.
From January 1 to March 23 they did not lose a game and picked up 31 points from a possible 39 – and that run put them firmly in the promotion driving seat.
A poor end to the season saw them win just two of their final eight games, but promotion was sealed and a return to League One was a just reward after a difficult season.
HEAD TO HEAD
Sunderland and Bury have met 63 times in the past with Sunderland coming out on top 35 times compared to Bury’s 20.
The two sides last met in the League Cup at the beginning of the 2017-18 campaign and the Black Cats won that day 1-0 thanks to George Honeyman’s first Sunderland goal.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Peter Reid’s Sunderland travelled to Bury towards the end of the 1998-99 campaign knowing that a win would confirm their place back in the Premier League.
A perfect evening saw Kevin Phillips net four times, while his strike partner Niall Quinn got himself in on the act as well.
The victory, 5-2, was met with jubilant scenes on Wearside and the club took their rightful place back in the topflight.
CLUB INFO
Stadium: Gigg Lane
Miles from Stadium of Light: 137
Honours: FA Cup (1900, 1903)
Record transfer: Chris Swailes (£225k, 1998)
