Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC) Overview

Sunderland is an English professional football club that currently plays in Premier league. They are also well-know as: "Sunderland Association Football Club" or "The Black Cats". The club is situated in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, in North-East England. Through its history The Black Cats have changed a lot of grounds, among them were:

1. 1879 - 1882 - Blue House Field, Hendon
2. 1882 - 1883 - Groves Field, Ashbrooke
3. 1883 - 1884 - Horatio Street, Roker
4. 1884 - 1886 - Abbs Field, Fulwell
5. 1886 - 1898 - Newcastle Road, Monkwearmouth
6. 1898 - 1997 - Roker Park , Roker

Now the home ground of the team is The Stadium of Light. It is the 49,000-seater football stadium which opened in 1997. The Stadium of Light is divided on the West Stand, North Stand (formerly the Vaux Stand and the Carling Stand), East Stand (formerly the Fosters Stand), and the South Stand (the other name is the Metro FM Stand).

The current chairman is Niall John Quinn. He is a former is a Irish footballer, who played for such teams as: Arsenal (1983–1990), Manchester City (1990–1996), Sunderland (1996–2002). He is also related to horse racing. Niall John Quinn was awarded Beacon Fellowship Prize for his contribution to medical and children's charities in 2003. The present manager is Roy Maurice Keane. He is an Irish former professional footballer like Niall. Keane played for such club's as: Cobh Ramblers (1989–1990), Nottingham Forest (1990–1993), Manchester United (1993–2005), Celtic (2005–2006). Sunderland is the first team that he manages. Sunderland Association Football Club have the long list of managers:

• 1888 - 1896 - Tom Watson
• 1896 - 1899 - Bob Campbell
• 1899 - 1905 - Alex Mackie
• 1905 - 1928 - Bob Kyle
• 1928 - 1939 - Johnny Cochrane
• 1939 - 1957 - Bill Murray
• 1957 - 1964 - Alan Brown
• 1964 - 1965 - George Hardwick
• 1965 - 1968 - Ian McColl
• 1968 - 1972 - Alan Brown
• 1972 - 1976 - Bob Stokoe
• 1976 - 1978 - Jimmy Adamson
• 1979 - 1981 - Ken Knighton
• 1981 - 1984 - Alan Durban
• 1984 - 1985 - Len Ashurst
• 1985 - 1987 - Lawrie McMenemy
• 1987 - 1991- Denis Smith
• 1992 - 1993 - Malcolm Crosby
• 1993 - Terry Butcher
• 1993 - 1995 - Mick Buxton
• 1995 - 2002 - Peter Reid
• 2002 - 2003 - Howard Wilkinson
• 2003 - 2006 - Mick McCarthy
• 2006 - Kevin Ball (caretaker)
• 2006 - Niall Quinn (caretaker)
• 2006 - present Roy Keane

The club was founded on October 1879 by James Allan, Glaswegian school-teacher. The first name was Sunderland and District Teachers' Association Football Club. After a year the name was changed to Sunderland. In 1888 they became the first club that joined the league. During its history of over 125 years they became league champions eight times and twice won the FA Cup:

The Black Cats has the academy that influences the development of the club. The Academy of Light was opened in March 2003. It includes: the portable buildings with a canteen, gym, dressing rooms and a boot room, medical and rehabilitation facilities, hydrotherapy suite, a number of pitches. The academy status of the club helps to attract the most talented young players and gives the opportunity to play in the FA Premier Youth leagues. It is also provides the best possible training, practice and relax facilities for the first team squad that consists of: