Here Are Some Important Sunderland FC Facts

Sunderland FC is a professional football club playing in the top-tier league of England, which is widely known as Premier League. The club was established in 1879 under the name of "Sunderland and District Teachers". The club is fondly nicknamed as ‘Black Cats' and also known by the name ‘Lads'. Ellish Short is the current owner of Sunderland. The club is currently managed by Sam Allardyce. Let us now wag our glance quickly over other important and interesting Sunderland FC Facts.

Home Ground

Sunderland FC has their own ground, Stadium of Light. It accommodates 49,000 audiences. It has been their home ground since 1997 when they moved from Roker Park. Their original ground had the capacity of 42,000 spectators though it was increased up to 49, 000 after an expansion around 16 years ago.

Rivalry

Rivalry is not always bitter and in games, such thing makes a match more competitive. Sunderland has a long-time rivalry with Newcastle United which is located in their neighborhood. The club has contested with their arch rivals in Tyne-Wear derby match since 1898. It was relegated several times in their club history. Recently in 2007, they got promoted to the Premier League 9 years ago.

Sunderland also has rivalry with Leeds United and Middleborough though on a milder level.

Wealth

Since their most recent Premier League promotion, Sunderland is one of the wealthiest clubs in the football world. In 2014, they rank 31st on the list of the richest clubs in the world, with brand value of USD $93 million.

Colors & Crest

Since their establishment until 1884, the club has a jersey in blue strip. Later they switched to strips in red and white, a concept that was conceived during 1887-88 season. The club's badge had a ship, a black cat, the upper part of the their coat of arms as well as a football. The club conceptualized and actualized a change in 1977 but even the latest version included a ship, football as well as the ‘red and white stripes' background.

Following their move to the Stadium of Light, Sunderland introduced a new crest that is divided into four quarters. The newest crest contains a lion and two black cats apart from a banner showing off the club's slogan, Consectatio Excellentiae which means ‘In pursuit of excellence'. 

Sponsors

On 1st June of the last year, the club made an announcement about a new sponsorship, this time, with Dafabel until the last day in June, 2017. The club has a kit sponsor contract with Adidas until 2020.

Achievement

It was in 1908 when Sunderland wrapped up their widest away win in the Premier League by handing a 9-1 defeat to Newcastle United, their arch rivals. Their record home win came in match against Liverpool, which they won by 7-0. Their biggest FA  Cup victory came in a match against a non-league team Fair Field, with the score being 11-1.

The club achieved a new record in 1965 when they defeated their rivals Newcastle United for the sixth time in a row.