On a Hiding to Nothing - 25 Years at Sunderland AFC

Published 2020

Throughout its history, Sunderland AFC has been through plenty of turbulent times. The 20th century started off well enough, but it was the 1980s through to the new millennium that can be seen as a real rollercoaster period for the club.

This book documents the fortunes of Sunderland AFC through the eyes of the players who represented the club. Amongst the pages are players who were cult heroes for the club, playing for years. Others have rarely given their views on Sunderland but, despite not staying around for long, have plenty to say.

Success has never come easy on Wearside. During the 25 year period documented in this book, Sunderland enjoyed a handful of promotions, about the same number of relegations with a couple of cup final defeats thrown in for good measure.

From the mid 1980s and a first ever season in the Third Division, to 2009 and relative security in the Premier League and everything in between, this book tells of how things can go right (and wrong) at a football club.

The years following this book have arguably been the worst in Sunderland’s history, but 1984 to 2009 was a period which tested even the most hardened Mackem.