Sunderland Albion F.C. - Introduction

Introduction

In December 1887 Sunderland defeated Middlesbrough in an FA Cup tie. However Sunderland were subsequently disqualified from the rest of the tournament after it was revealed they had played ineligible professional players; Monaghan, Richardson and Hastings, who had been “imported” from Dumfries for the match.

On Tuesday 13 March 1888 Allan held a meeting at The Empress Hotel in Union Street to form Sunderland Albion. Seven Sunderland players would defect to Albion along with Sunderland AFC’s first President, Alderman Potts. It’s likely that the latter would have gone anyway when less than 2 months later the Committee of Sunderland AFC was reduced from 30 to 15 members.

The Middlesbrough debacle alluded to above has always been identified as a main reason for Allan leaving the Committee i.e. Allan and others had a general dissatisfaction about the direction in which the club was heading. Another factor cited for Allan leaving Sunderland AFC was a potential move away from Newcastle Road and problems with the lease that was due to expire on 13 May 1888.

The annual meeting of the Sunderland Association Football Club was held on the 3rd May 1888 in the Monkwearmouth Workman’s Hall with Club President Councillor Robert Thompson occupying the chair.

James Allan was identified as being the Sunderland AFC Treasurer, although at this meeting Mr. Samuel Tyzack of the Monkwearmouth Ironworks was appointed Treasurer in place of Mr. James Allan, in effect ousting or replacing (depends on what stance you take) the SAFC’s founder.

Note that there is no mention of Allan volunteering to leave SAFC nor of Sunderland AFC giving James Allan a vote of thanks for all he had done for SAFC (including remember, founding the club), nor of the founding of Sunderland Albion.

It can only be presumed that James Allan, as appointed SAFC Treasurer, was under an obligation to attend and present his figures. Not only that but as he had formed Albion less than 2 months previously its fair to assume that there could have been bad feeling even at that early stage of the rivalry, hence no thanks for Allan, who then became the first Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunderland Albion Club.

Albion would use Sunderland AFC’s old Blue House Field ground for fixtures and the HQ for Albion would be at the Waverley Hotel in Norman Street, Hendon.

Big business had now taken over Sunderland AFC, but Albion were determined to make a name for themselves. Sunderland AFC’s main problem at this time was how to fill a void left by the departure of 7 players. Albion’s first fixture was on 5 May 1888 against Shankhouse Blackwatch (which is 9 miles North of Newcastle). This was a mere 48 hours after the 3 May 1888 meeting had finished.

Albion’s first lineup for the game at the Ashville Ground was as follows: Stewart, Oliver, Gilmartin, Richardson, Moore, Baxter, Scott, Kilpatrick, Melville, Monaghan and Nugent.

Albion led 2 v 0 at half time and triumphed 3 v 0. Five of the Albion players were “imported” from Newcastle Club, Elswick Rangers, especially for the game.