[4] Sunderland was born in Conisbrough, Yorkshire, and began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers as an apprentice who played as a midfielder.
[12] Sunderland became a regular starter for the club, playing in the 1978 FA Cup final, which Arsenal lost to Ipswich Town.
During the game Arsenal had gone 2–0 up against Manchester United, with goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton, and looked set for victory with only five minutes remaining.
Liam Brady fed Graham Rix on the left wing, and his cross was converted by Sunderland at the far post to make the score 3–2, and win Arsenal the cup.
[22] Sunderland won a single England cap which came in a 2–1 friendly win over Australia in Sydney on 31 May 1980,[1] and also represented his country at under-21 (as an over-age player),[23] under-23[24] and 'B' team level.