Sunderland Association Football Club, an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, was founded in 1879.
[1] They joined The Football League in the 1890–91 season replacing Stoke who had failed to be re-elected, making Sunderland the first new club to join the league since its inauguration in 1888.
[2] Since then the club has been relegated back into The Football League on four occasions.
[3] Sunderland's first team, nicknamed the Black Cats, have competed in a number of nationally contested leagues, and their record against each club faced in those competitions is summarised below.
[5] Villa, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion have contested the most draws with Sunderland, having tied 44 games.