BBC - 606 - - A21789606 - I'M NOT TRYING TO TEMP FATE, BUT.....

23 comments

I'M NOT TRYING TO TEMP FATE, BUT.....

Championship Sunderland

by MartyE - BBC Radio Newcastle (U1823808) 16 April 2007

Barring a major disaster Sunderland will be back in the Premiership next season.

They've never gone back up to the top flight at the first time of asking!

So as long as things go to plan I ask you this: If/when they go up this summer will it be the best promotion they've managed, especially given everything that happened earlier in the season?

In case you can't remember how bad it was at the start of the season here's a reminder: They lost their first four league games (to Coventry, Birmingham, Plymouth and Southend) and went out of the League Cup to lowly Bury, who at the time of writing are trying to avoid relegation to the Conference.

And remember the protests after the Southend defeat away? Shirts on the pitc, etc. It all seems a completely different world now.

As long as Sunderland don't lose at Colchester this weekend they will equal their best unbeaten run in a single season - 18 matches - set at the beginning of the 98-99 season when they went 24 unbeaten (including six league cup matches).

This will also be their 9th promotion - as far as we can remember here at BBC Towers.

Here's the list:

63-64 promoted under Alan Brown who then left that summer to join Sheffield Wednesday.

75-76 went up under Bob Stokoe as Champions after six seasons down.

79-80 up under Ken Knighton. Unbeaten in last 14 games.

87-88 up from Third Division under Denis Smith after one year down - as Champions!

89-90 went up under Smith again after losing play-off final to Swindon, who were denied promotion for financial irregularities.

95-96 Up under Peter Reid for the first time - as Champions!

98-99 Reidy again - as Champions - with 105 points - two seasons after relegation.

04-05 Up under Mick McCarthy as Champions two season after relegation.

06-07 ??????????

comment on this article | alert a moderator | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 23 comments

Read members' comments or add your own

comment by BaggieTrousers (U7770509)

posted Apr 16, 2007

Just like to say good luck to S'land for the future the fans are top drawer and Roy Keane is a legend.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by SAFC - Flash The Mackem - 1 (U1891336)

posted Apr 16, 2007

I backed them in January at 16's for automatic promotion. �50 is looking money well spent!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by SAFC - Flash The Mackem - 1 (U1891336)

posted Apr 16, 2007

Oh, and thanks to Martin too! Are the Mags in your office getting a little nervy?

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by MartyE - BBC Radio Newcastle (U1823808)

posted Apr 16, 2007

Most Newcastle fans are looking forward to the derby matches returning next season, but it is still a long way off.

There is a good mix of support in the office for varying teams.

We've got a few Sunderland fans, a few Newcastle, the odd Boro fan and even representation from Forest, Cardiff and Peterbrough, so the crack is normally good in here.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Sunlunladnorthyorks (U5713052)

posted Apr 16, 2007

A strange fact is that for the second time in consectutive seasons (aside from being in the Permiership in between) we started the season losing away to Coventry and ended up Champions (elect)!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by SAFC - Flash The Mackem - 1 (U1891336)

posted Apr 16, 2007

I'm sure it is mate. Do me a favour and ask your Cardiff colleague to have a word with CityBlue4Ever. The way he promotes the City of Cardiff you'd think they all ate raw meat and ran around attacking anything that moved, as long as it didn't shout Ian Beale or Ratatouille (sp)!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Letalent (U1816220)

posted Apr 16, 2007

A few people have made hushed mention of Keano being like the Keegan effect, which woke the Toon from their slumber and propelled them into top contention.

I have a feeling that Keane will have a slower but more lasting effect on SAFC than Keegan did. Slowly but surely, the man is looking to build an empire, his team, his way.

The future is bright for the red and white

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Premierpundit (U7775326)

posted Apr 16, 2007

If/when we do go up, if the first game was against Newcastle, what do you think the score would be on current form?

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Headingleymackem (U7710914)

posted Apr 16, 2007

i backed them after Bury as well, but only a fiver unfortunately! Not quite a holiday out of it, but some good beer money. fingers crossed

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Coludrew (U8098950)

posted Apr 16, 2007

Be careful, many teams have come to Layer Rd this season and gone away with their tails between their legs. Looking forward to a great game on Sat.