SUNDERLAND 'TIL I DIE

Netflix has a lot to answer for and while I am negotiating various saucy "teen flix" and children's cartoon series, there has been "The English Game" to watch (haven't finished that series yet) the Manchester City appreciation and "Sunderland 'til I die". I am slightly biassed to the Black Cats this week because it was their FA Cup experience that made me write about them yesterday. Today, there is the extraordinary fact that Sunderland AFC  has won a major trophy in England during every monarch's reign since the beginning of organised football. I shall get to that eventually.

Remember that the Association Game was founded in England (therefore in the World) from 1863 and the first FA Cup Final was in 1872. The first League title was awarded in 1888-9 with the "Invincibles" Preston North End outrunning everyone with 22 games played, 18 won, 4 draw 0, lost Goals for 74, and Against 15. They were 11 points ahead of second placed Aston Villa. Preston then won the next title in 1889-90.

Sunderland joined the First Division (the only division at the time) in 1890-1, coming in 7th place out of 12 clubs. Everton won the Championship that season, with Preston runners-up.
The club had been deducted 2 points for fielding the ineligible Ned Doig against WBA on September 20th 1890. who was not officially registered to Sunderland, having transfered from Arbroath!

In 1891-2 Sunderland were eventually crowned Champions, with Preston 2nd and Darwen bottom (see "The English Game"), relegated to the new Division Two.

1892-3 Sunderland Champions
1893-4 Sunderland were runners up to Aston Villa.
1894-5 Sunderland were Champions (Everton second)
1895-6 5th,
1896-7 15th/16...not relegated and
1897-8 were runners-up in the First Division
The success went on with a 7th in the following season, then 3rd, 2nd in 1900-1, TOP 1901-2, 3rd 1902-3 with respectable placements following until 1912-3 when they won the First Division again with two mid-table placements through to 1914-5.

Moving on, Sunderland therefore won a major trophy under Victoria (1837-1901).

Then unhder.....

Edward VII      Reign: 1901-10: First Division titles 1901-2 and the Sheriff of London Charity Shield 1903

George V                     1910- December 1936:  First Division 1912-3

Edward VIII                June 1936-Dec 1936:  First Division 1935-6

George VI                   Dec 1936-Feb 1952: Charity Shield 1936, FA Cup 1937

Elizabeth II                 Feb 1952-Present: FA Cup 1972-3

                                    and 2nd Div/Championship etc 1975/6, 1995/6, 1998/9, 2004/5, 2006/7

                                    3rd Division/2nd Div/League 1 etc 1987/8

+++ BBC Sports Team of the Year 1973, Division 2 1975-6, Div 3 1987-8, Div 1 1995-6, 

and finally..look this one up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1895_World_Championship_(football)