Founded in 1879, Sunderland joined the league in 1890 and until 1958 they played all their football in the top flight. In 1937, the club won the FA Cup for the first time to add to their six league championships that have been won by the Black Cats.
Sunderland also won the FA Cup in 1973 in one of the most famous finals of all time, beating favourites and title-holders Leeds 1-0 in a game that featured arguably the greatest ever save made by a goalkeeper at Wembley.
That fantastic double stop was made by Jim Montgomery, who has still holds the record for having played more games for the club than any other player. Other legendary Sunderland players to have worn the famous red and white stripes include Raich Carter, the "Clown Prince of Soccer" himself Len Shackleton, Brian Clough and former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn, who is now the chairman at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats moved to their new home from Roker Park in 1997 and at that time it was the biggest football ground built in England since the Second World War. The 49,000 stadium has played host to England international fixtures and only Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle have bigger capacities.
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