Sunderland
have a long-standing rivalry with their neighbouring club Newcastle United,
with whom they have contested the Tyne–Wear derby since 1898. Sunderland won
the league championship in the 1891–92 season, one season after joining The
Football League. The club's 42 points were five clear of nearest rivals Preston
North End, and this performance led The Times to describe the players as
"a wonderfully fine team".[4]
Sunderland successfully defended the title the following season, aided by centre
forward Johnny Campbell, who broke the 30-goal mark for the second time in
consecutive seasons. In the process, they became the first team to score 100
goals in a season, a feat not matched until 1919–20, when West Bromwich Albion
set a new record
Sunderland
won the league championship in the 1891–92 season.Sunderland won the game 5–3 from liverpoll and were announced
"Champions of the world".Sunderland came close to winning another
league title in the 1897–98 season, when they finished as runners-up to Sheffield
United.That season was their last at Newcastle Road, as they moved to Roker
Park the following season.After coming second in 1900–01, the club won their
fourth league title in the 1901–02 season, beating Everton by a three point
margin. Sunderland won their last major trophy in 1973, in a 1–0 victory over Don
Revie's Leeds United in the FA Cup Final.Sunderland started their first season
under Bruce strongly, including victories against Arsenal and Liverpool, but
then went 14 matches without a win over the winter eventually finishing the
2009–10 season 13th. Sunderland completed the signing of Ghana international Asamoah
Gyan in August 2010 for a fee around £13 million, becoming their new
record transfer fee.
