Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Sunderland’s first decade in the league had seen the side win the championship 3 times and the club had been dubbed the “Team of All Talents”.
Alex Mackie had been appointed as the new manager in 1899 and had a lot to live up to and had the full backing of the board prior to the start of the 1900/01 season. Players such as, Jimmy Millar, George Livingstone were bought to spice up the attack as well as defender Jim Watson who would help the team only concede 26 goals in 34 league games.
Roker Park was a fortress and most teams, who made the long trip, north, found themselves being thrashed by The Lads who managed to score 43 goals in 17 home games.
Unfortunately The Lads were not as good on their travels and drew a lot of games. Former Sunderland manager Tom Watson’s Liverpool was emerging as a new force in football. A home defeat against Liverpool in the run in ultimately cost Sunderland the title and they finished 2nd despite beating Newcastle 2-0 on the final day of the season in front of 40,000 at St James Park.
Before the 1901/02 season Roker Park got a bit of a facelift. The playing surface was spruced up, the drainage enhanced and the stands repainted as well as construction of new approach roads by the Corporation.
The stars if the team were Jimmy Millar, local boy Alf Common and the Hogg brothers. Everton were the main rivals for the title and they pushed Sunderland all the way in the battle for the championship.
“Teddy Doig was still there: he played 422 league games for Sunderland, a club record which lasted until it was beaten by another goalkeeper, Jimmy Montgomery, in the 1970's. “ (safc.com)
On the last day of the season Sunderland defeated Bolton 2-1 to clinch the Championship by 3 points from Everton. Sunderland achieved their 4th Championship and managed to win 19 games that season by a single goal (8 of them were 1-0 victories).
The 1902-03 season saw Sunderland win the Sheriff of London Shield (predecessor to the Charity Shield, which is now known as the Community Shield). In February of 1903 Sunderland played the best amateur side of the year Corinthians at White Hart Lane winning 3-0.
A major scandal was to rock the club during the 1903/04 season, involving alleged illegal payments to Andrew McCombie, a Sunderland back since 1898. A “loan” payment of £100 was given to McCombie in the close season by the board. The “loan” was given to McCombie to help start up a business on the understanding it would be paid back to the board on receiving a benefit game.
McCombie didn’t see it this way! He argued that the money had been a gift from the Club and refused to pay it back. The scandal broke in January 1904 and McCombie whose Sunderland career was obviously over signed for Newcastle.
The FA launched an enquiry into the £100 “loan”. Sunderland had already commenced legal proceedings and a Court of Law judged the money had been a loan that had to be paid back. However, the FA took exception to the ruling, agreeing with McCombie that the money was a gift violating the games rules. Sunderland’s books were deemed inaccurate and the club was find £250.
Six Directors were suspended for 18 months, Alex Watson for 18 months and the then manager. Alex Mackie for 3 months.
Before the scandal had broken, Sunderland had started the season well but, perhaps, demoralised by the ruling results deteriorated and Sunderland finished the season in 6th mainly due to an impressive home record of 12 wins, 3 draws and only 2 defeats.
“The arrival of Fred Taylor, "Mr Sunderland" saved the day, as did the appointment of Robert Kyle in 1905; a masterstroke.
In 1905 Sunderland needed money (perhaps for Roker Park which was bought for £10,000) and they sold Alf Common to Middlesbrough for £1,000, the first four-figure transfer fee ever. “ (safc.com)
The club struggled under Kyle and Sunderland finished 14th in the league during the 1905/06 season. Sunderland’s annual report presented on 3 July 1905 stated: -
“Your directors have to report a very unsatisfactory season…”
Kyle had joined the Club at a very difficult time and had to deal with the incredible expectations of the fans who had been fed on a glorious diet for Sunderland’s 25 year history. Kyle brought in a forward called George Holley who would have a big impact, especially in a derby game against Newcastle United in 1908.
During the 1906/07 season Sunderland couldn’t stop conceding goals and finished 10th in the league.
The team still had some talented players and were a decent team but were no longer Championship contenders. Key players wanted to leave the Club and 1907/08 turned out to be the worst, but possibly the most exciting season in the clubs short history.
The situation was so bad by Christmas that the board dug deep to finance the signing on a forward called Foster from Watford and amateur Welsh keeper Leigh R Roose was brought in to solve the keeper crisis.
Roose a Doctor by profession was renowned for taking free kicks outside the penalty area, and as the rule restricting the use of hands outside the penalty area was not introduced until 1912, he was spotted bouncing the ball to the halfway line more than once!
Sunderland narrowly escaped relegation, mainly due to the efforts of Roose in goal and Holley scoring 15 goals in the last 14 games of the season.
Sunderland completed the acquisition of Roker Park during the 1907/08 season and officially owned the ground. It was hope that this would help the club start again and move forward.
In an attempt to firmly draw a line under the last five years the board boldy financed a spending spree for the start of the 1908/09 campaign. Charlie Thompson, a Scottish centre half was signed from Hearts, Jackie Mordue was signed from Woolwich Arsenal and Arthur Brown who had been capped by England aged just 18 arrived from Bramall Lane.
“The highlight of the decade? It had to be the 1908 Tyne-Wear local derby with Newcastle United. The teams met St. James' Park and Sunderland recorded a 9-1 win, scoring eight times in the second half!!” (safc.com)
The game was 1-1 at half time, but after a hotly disputed penalty on the stroke of half time Sunderland came out for the second half to score a further 8 goals, 6 of which came in an incredible 10 minute period. Hogg and Holley scored a hat trick, Bridgett scored twice and Mordue once.
The Sunderland Echo commented: -
“As to the cause of the collapse of the Newcastle Team, it was quite evidently due to their being useless.”
Newcastle defeated The Lads 3-0 in an FA Cup replay and Sunderland beat Newcastle in the league 3-1 at Roker Park. Unfortunately, Sunderland couldn’t stop Newcastle winning the league and finished behind them in 3rd.
Sunderland had improved from being a relegation side and returned to winning ways. The close season for 1909/10 saw The Lads embark on their first foreign tour taking in Hungary, Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia winning 7 of their 8 games.
Sunderland finished in 8th place in 1909/10 and as a new decade beckoned it would be a crucial moment in the Clubs history. Would Sunderland fight to re-establish themselves as force to be reckoned with or would they fail to rise to the challenge?
During the seasons 1910/20 “Football, as with so much of life was blighted by the first world war. The league and the FA Cup were suspended for most of the time and all football clubs lost players, including Sunderland AFC.” (safc.com)
Kyle’s rebuilding process was taking shape and the 1910/11 season saw the debut of England striker JG Coleman who was to have a good season only to be replaced by a young a centre forward name Charlie Buchan.
Goalkeeper Roose broke his arm during a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in November 1910 and then Sunderland lost the next game to Middlesbrough 1-0. This ended a very good start to the season, where The Lads remained unbeaten for 14 games.
Charlie Buchan, who cost £1,200 had arrived from Leighton Orient and emerged in the last 7 games of the 1910/11 season and was set to become one of the greatest English players ever. On his home debut against Middlebrough team mate Gemmell joked: -
“If you keep playing like that you’ll be King of Sunderland.”
The 1912/13 season was to be one of the best seasons ever. Kyle’s young side were becoming more experienced with some older heads in key defensive positions. New goalkeeper Joe Butler was recruited as was Scottish defender James Richardson.
54,000 fans watched Sunderland earn a credible draw against Newcastle on the opening day of the season. After a decent start, things went disastrously wrong and The Lads suffered four defeats in a row.
Sunderland started to build up their reputation and from January only suffered one defeat against Notts County (2-1).
Both Sunderland and Aston Villa had a good opportunity to complete the double by winning the FA Cup and the Football League.
Sunderland travelled to Aston Villa with three league games to go and earned a 1-1 draw then defeated Bolton and Bradford, 3-1 and 1-0 respectively to be crowned champions with a record number of points.
In front of a record crown of 128,081 at Crystal Palace Sunderland took on Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final. With 12 minutes to go the game was goalless, until Villa’s Watson forced a corner that as bundled across the line by Barber.
Harry Martin, who was Sunderland’s best player on the day went close but unfortunately hit the inside of the post. Apparently The Lads under performed on the day but they came so close to becoming double winners.
“The same year the old wooden terracing at the Roker End of Roker Park was replaced with concrete (cost about £20,000) increasing the ground capacity from 30,000 to about 50,000.” (safc.com)
The 1914/15 season was marred by the outbreak of the First World War, and as Charlie Buchan pointed out there was little interest in football with a war going on. Most of the Sunderland team found it difficult to concentrate on football once their fellow countrymen began marching into conflict.
Following the suspension of league Football at the end of the 1914/15 season most of the team entered the army to serve their country in the War. Notably Charlie Buchan and Bob Young both went on to win the Military Medal.
Sunderland’s first game after the war was a 4-0 victory over local rivals Newcastle but the league did not begin again proper until after Armistice Day 11 November 1918 when the Victory League was formed. This involved friendly fixtures a a league format, and Sunderland’s opponents were South Shields, Middlesbrough, Durham City, Newcastle, Scotswood, Darlington and Hartlepool.
Sunderland also competed in the Durham Senior Cup and managed a 8-1 semi final win against Felling Colliery and in the final defeated Crook 8-0 at Feethams.
When the league returned to its proper format in 1919/20 Sunderland finished 5th and only lost 2 home games out of 21.
Next read the Sunderland AFC 1920 - 1940 era.
Alex Mackie had been appointed as the new manager in 1899 and had a lot to live up to and had the full backing of the board prior to the start of the 1900/01 season. Players such as, Jimmy Millar, George Livingstone were bought to spice up the attack as well as defender Jim Watson who would help the team only concede 26 goals in 34 league games.
Roker Park was a fortress and most teams, who made the long trip, north, found themselves being thrashed by The Lads who managed to score 43 goals in 17 home games.
Unfortunately The Lads were not as good on their travels and drew a lot of games. Former Sunderland manager Tom Watson’s Liverpool was emerging as a new force in football. A home defeat against Liverpool in the run in ultimately cost Sunderland the title and they finished 2nd despite beating Newcastle 2-0 on the final day of the season in front of 40,000 at St James Park.
Before the 1901/02 season Roker Park got a bit of a facelift. The playing surface was spruced up, the drainage enhanced and the stands repainted as well as construction of new approach roads by the Corporation.
The stars if the team were Jimmy Millar, local boy Alf Common and the Hogg brothers. Everton were the main rivals for the title and they pushed Sunderland all the way in the battle for the championship.
“Teddy Doig was still there: he played 422 league games for Sunderland, a club record which lasted until it was beaten by another goalkeeper, Jimmy Montgomery, in the 1970's. “ (safc.com)
On the last day of the season Sunderland defeated Bolton 2-1 to clinch the Championship by 3 points from Everton. Sunderland achieved their 4th Championship and managed to win 19 games that season by a single goal (8 of them were 1-0 victories).
The 1902-03 season saw Sunderland win the Sheriff of London Shield (predecessor to the Charity Shield, which is now known as the Community Shield). In February of 1903 Sunderland played the best amateur side of the year Corinthians at White Hart Lane winning 3-0.
A major scandal was to rock the club during the 1903/04 season, involving alleged illegal payments to Andrew McCombie, a Sunderland back since 1898. A “loan” payment of £100 was given to McCombie in the close season by the board. The “loan” was given to McCombie to help start up a business on the understanding it would be paid back to the board on receiving a benefit game.
McCombie didn’t see it this way! He argued that the money had been a gift from the Club and refused to pay it back. The scandal broke in January 1904 and McCombie whose Sunderland career was obviously over signed for Newcastle.
The FA launched an enquiry into the £100 “loan”. Sunderland had already commenced legal proceedings and a Court of Law judged the money had been a loan that had to be paid back. However, the FA took exception to the ruling, agreeing with McCombie that the money was a gift violating the games rules. Sunderland’s books were deemed inaccurate and the club was find £250.
Six Directors were suspended for 18 months, Alex Watson for 18 months and the then manager. Alex Mackie for 3 months.
Before the scandal had broken, Sunderland had started the season well but, perhaps, demoralised by the ruling results deteriorated and Sunderland finished the season in 6th mainly due to an impressive home record of 12 wins, 3 draws and only 2 defeats.
“The arrival of Fred Taylor, "Mr Sunderland" saved the day, as did the appointment of Robert Kyle in 1905; a masterstroke.
In 1905 Sunderland needed money (perhaps for Roker Park which was bought for £10,000) and they sold Alf Common to Middlesbrough for £1,000, the first four-figure transfer fee ever. “ (safc.com)
The club struggled under Kyle and Sunderland finished 14th in the league during the 1905/06 season. Sunderland’s annual report presented on 3 July 1905 stated: -
“Your directors have to report a very unsatisfactory season…”
Kyle had joined the Club at a very difficult time and had to deal with the incredible expectations of the fans who had been fed on a glorious diet for Sunderland’s 25 year history. Kyle brought in a forward called George Holley who would have a big impact, especially in a derby game against Newcastle United in 1908.
During the 1906/07 season Sunderland couldn’t stop conceding goals and finished 10th in the league.
The team still had some talented players and were a decent team but were no longer Championship contenders. Key players wanted to leave the Club and 1907/08 turned out to be the worst, but possibly the most exciting season in the clubs short history.
The situation was so bad by Christmas that the board dug deep to finance the signing on a forward called Foster from Watford and amateur Welsh keeper Leigh R Roose was brought in to solve the keeper crisis.
Roose a Doctor by profession was renowned for taking free kicks outside the penalty area, and as the rule restricting the use of hands outside the penalty area was not introduced until 1912, he was spotted bouncing the ball to the halfway line more than once!
Sunderland narrowly escaped relegation, mainly due to the efforts of Roose in goal and Holley scoring 15 goals in the last 14 games of the season.
Sunderland completed the acquisition of Roker Park during the 1907/08 season and officially owned the ground. It was hope that this would help the club start again and move forward.
In an attempt to firmly draw a line under the last five years the board boldy financed a spending spree for the start of the 1908/09 campaign. Charlie Thompson, a Scottish centre half was signed from Hearts, Jackie Mordue was signed from Woolwich Arsenal and Arthur Brown who had been capped by England aged just 18 arrived from Bramall Lane.
“The highlight of the decade? It had to be the 1908 Tyne-Wear local derby with Newcastle United. The teams met St. James' Park and Sunderland recorded a 9-1 win, scoring eight times in the second half!!” (safc.com)
The game was 1-1 at half time, but after a hotly disputed penalty on the stroke of half time Sunderland came out for the second half to score a further 8 goals, 6 of which came in an incredible 10 minute period. Hogg and Holley scored a hat trick, Bridgett scored twice and Mordue once.
The Sunderland Echo commented: -
“As to the cause of the collapse of the Newcastle Team, it was quite evidently due to their being useless.”
Newcastle defeated The Lads 3-0 in an FA Cup replay and Sunderland beat Newcastle in the league 3-1 at Roker Park. Unfortunately, Sunderland couldn’t stop Newcastle winning the league and finished behind them in 3rd.
Sunderland had improved from being a relegation side and returned to winning ways. The close season for 1909/10 saw The Lads embark on their first foreign tour taking in Hungary, Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia winning 7 of their 8 games.
Sunderland finished in 8th place in 1909/10 and as a new decade beckoned it would be a crucial moment in the Clubs history. Would Sunderland fight to re-establish themselves as force to be reckoned with or would they fail to rise to the challenge?
During the seasons 1910/20 “Football, as with so much of life was blighted by the first world war. The league and the FA Cup were suspended for most of the time and all football clubs lost players, including Sunderland AFC.” (safc.com)
Kyle’s rebuilding process was taking shape and the 1910/11 season saw the debut of England striker JG Coleman who was to have a good season only to be replaced by a young a centre forward name Charlie Buchan.
Goalkeeper Roose broke his arm during a 1-1 draw at Newcastle in November 1910 and then Sunderland lost the next game to Middlesbrough 1-0. This ended a very good start to the season, where The Lads remained unbeaten for 14 games.
Charlie Buchan, who cost £1,200 had arrived from Leighton Orient and emerged in the last 7 games of the 1910/11 season and was set to become one of the greatest English players ever. On his home debut against Middlebrough team mate Gemmell joked: -
“If you keep playing like that you’ll be King of Sunderland.”
The 1912/13 season was to be one of the best seasons ever. Kyle’s young side were becoming more experienced with some older heads in key defensive positions. New goalkeeper Joe Butler was recruited as was Scottish defender James Richardson.
54,000 fans watched Sunderland earn a credible draw against Newcastle on the opening day of the season. After a decent start, things went disastrously wrong and The Lads suffered four defeats in a row.
Sunderland started to build up their reputation and from January only suffered one defeat against Notts County (2-1).
Both Sunderland and Aston Villa had a good opportunity to complete the double by winning the FA Cup and the Football League.
Sunderland travelled to Aston Villa with three league games to go and earned a 1-1 draw then defeated Bolton and Bradford, 3-1 and 1-0 respectively to be crowned champions with a record number of points.
In front of a record crown of 128,081 at Crystal Palace Sunderland took on Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final. With 12 minutes to go the game was goalless, until Villa’s Watson forced a corner that as bundled across the line by Barber.
Harry Martin, who was Sunderland’s best player on the day went close but unfortunately hit the inside of the post. Apparently The Lads under performed on the day but they came so close to becoming double winners.
“The same year the old wooden terracing at the Roker End of Roker Park was replaced with concrete (cost about £20,000) increasing the ground capacity from 30,000 to about 50,000.” (safc.com)
The 1914/15 season was marred by the outbreak of the First World War, and as Charlie Buchan pointed out there was little interest in football with a war going on. Most of the Sunderland team found it difficult to concentrate on football once their fellow countrymen began marching into conflict.
Following the suspension of league Football at the end of the 1914/15 season most of the team entered the army to serve their country in the War. Notably Charlie Buchan and Bob Young both went on to win the Military Medal.
Sunderland’s first game after the war was a 4-0 victory over local rivals Newcastle but the league did not begin again proper until after Armistice Day 11 November 1918 when the Victory League was formed. This involved friendly fixtures a a league format, and Sunderland’s opponents were South Shields, Middlesbrough, Durham City, Newcastle, Scotswood, Darlington and Hartlepool.
Sunderland also competed in the Durham Senior Cup and managed a 8-1 semi final win against Felling Colliery and in the final defeated Crook 8-0 at Feethams.
When the league returned to its proper format in 1919/20 Sunderland finished 5th and only lost 2 home games out of 21.
Next read the Sunderland AFC 1920 - 1940 era.
Labels: safc history, sunderland afc 1900 1920, sunderland afc history, Teddy Doig
