Is Sunderland's sleeping giant finally awakening?

The days of Len Shackleton's genius and Jim Montgomery's Wembley heroics have long gone. But there are signs under Roy Keane that the Stadium of Light could become the Stadium of Might.

by Philip Smith on 13 December 2007

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They’ve had a few flirtations with success over the years, but never anything deadly serious. They even had what you might call a shot-gun love affair with glory in 1973 when they won the FA Cup (blimey, is it that long ago?)

'Despite their current position, there is an air of confidence about the club that says: We’re here to stay this time'

But since then they’ve shown not the slightest intention of encouraging any resemblance of a serious courtship with either high achievement or glorious triumph.

We’re talking about Sunderland AFC here, one of the very few clubs in football today that could justifiably lay claim to that over-used acronym “sleeping giant”. A veritable Gulliver among so many Lilliputian pretenders.

Sunderland have had their moments, most notably before the First World War, when they won the old First Division title five times, and then again for a sixth and last time in 1936. Then a huge gap in the roll of honour until that never-to-be-forgotten 1-0 FA Cup win over Leeds United in 1973.

Comments (8)

by tony prenelle on December 13, 2007

yes when i see the modern day footballers doing there thing ,i wonder what wages he could get he was my greatest ever player and not enough appreciation of his skills in england caps think 2

by pete on December 13, 2007

by maria on December 13, 2007

Will Sunderland's glory days ever return? I hope so. The fans and Niall deserve it so much.

by Staffan on December 13, 2007

But if they are to become glorious they need the financial power to buy players and to afford the wages of good coaches like Keane and players. The squad Sunderland has for the moment is to weak.

by redandwhitefrog on December 13, 2007

Couldn't agree more, there's history here and keano and quinny will make sure our future is bright. It's been a rocky season but ive no doubt we'll stay up and then its just a matter of growing and being patient

by jack cc on December 13, 2007

Been a Sunderland fan for over 20 years now and youve just brought a tear to my eye, just so glad to be back in the top flight where my (and clearly your) memories wont be in vain

by Saxon Paige Vickers-Buckley on December 14, 2007

...would be good to see Sunderland beating the pants off the usual suspects. I am so bored with the Big Four Bore...& Newcastle are just bloody annoying. Old Cod Face Rollthedice is going nowhwere...so at least the Jailbars (now Joey Barton is there, they need renaming) are consistent. The new Big SIX: West Ham, Everton, Sunderland, Man City, Birmingham, Notts Forrest (come on back). Good luck Sunderland!

by Bruce Pickup on December 14, 2007

As a supporter since the late 50's I fear not but hope I am wrong. The gap is even wider between the club and upper reaches of the top league than in the darkest days in Division three. Anyway, I'll be there against Villa tomorrow, more fool me

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