The recent Sunderland play-off defeat was heartbreaking for fans. The disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion saw the Black Cats in the play-offs. Defeat by Charlton Athletic with the last kick of the game in the final consigned Sunderland to another season in League One.
However devastating the defeat was, should Sunderland’s current owners have not arrived last summer, the Black Cats could easily have been starring League Two in the face.
Sunderland Play-Off Defeat Was Heartbreaking But They Could Have Been Heading For League Two
Mess From Last Season
When Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League, the season which followed was a disaster from day one. Simon Grayson was appointed as the new manager. He set about rebuilding a squad; however, he was given little to spend. Just £1.25 million was spent on seven players. Many were also brought in on loan.
The then owner Ellis Short was unwilling to spend any more money on the club. He wanted to sell and debts were rising. Grayson didn’t last long and in came Chris Coleman to save the club from relegation. Poor acquisitions during the January transfer window saw the club relegated for the second successive season.
New Owners, Management and Players
Before the season finished, news that everyone wanted to hear came. Short had agreed to the sale of the club. The club had been bought by Stewart Donald, Charlie Methven and Juan Sartori. Donald would be the majority shareholder.
Jack Ross was brought in as manager as Donald and co reshaped the club and attempted to give pride back to the fans. The fans responded. Season ticket sales were close to 25,000 and their average attendance was well over 30,000. A League One record crowd of more than 46,000 saw the Black Cats beat Bradford City on Boxing Day.
Sunderland battled for automatic promotion for the entire season. Along the way, they reached the final of the EFL trophy, beating the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Wembley Final
Forty-thousand Sunderland fans travelled to London for the Final against Portsmouth. The scenes in Trafalgar Square the day and night before the game will live long in the memory of not just Sunderland supporters, but football fans in general. Thousands of fans flocked to Trafalgar Square to enjoy the pre game party. Fans were praised for the behaviour by police and locals alike.
Sadly, Sunderland lost the final on penalties. A dramatic last-minute equaliser in extra time had Wembley rocking. Fans believed they could win at Wembley for the first time since 1973. It was not to be. Portsmouth were victorious in the shoot-out.
Play-Offs
Sunderland battled for promotion; however, they had to settle for the play-offs. Revenge against Portsmouth in the semi-finals set up a final against Charlton: a repeat of the classic 1998 final. The Addicks would once again leave Wembley as the victors. Another Sunderland play-off defeat was added to their history. A heartbreaking goal with the last kick of the game saw Charlton win 2-1 and see Sunderland consigned to another year in England’s third tier.
“We were here not so long ago and we lost in a really sore manner but it doesn’t compare to today,” manager Jack Ross said. “We knew the significance of the game today and the importance of coming out on the right side of the result, so to lose in that manner was particularly painful.
It Could Have Been So Much Worse
The end of the season was devastating for fans. To lose out on automatic promotion and then fail with the last kick of the game, will stay with fans for a very long time.
It may be little consolation at the present time, but Sunderland’s end of season could have been so much worse. If Ellis Short had not sold the club last summer, the Black Cats could easily be playing in League Two next season. There would have been no money to spend and with debts rising, the prospect of administration was very real.
Credit must go to Stewart Donald etc for what they have done. They have tried their best but sadly the team failed at the final hurdle. The Black Cats were competitive throughout the season and visited Wembley twice.
The Future
The hurt of the play-off final defeat will linger for some time. However, the team can use this as motivation to secure promotion via the automatic places next season. In 1998, Sunderland were defeated in the play-off final by Charlton. Like this year, the fans, players and the club were hurting for some time. However, the following season they won the league with ease, stronger from their disappointment.
Stewart Donald is also trying to bring extra investment into the club. They are in safe hands presently, but like many clubs, extra investment could prove vital.
The squad needs improving and Jack Ross will undoubtedly know where improvements are needed. Sunderland struggled for clean sheets and had an inability to kill teams off from a winning position. These problems will need addressing this summer.
The future of Sunderland Football Club is not as bright as it could be at present. Although, it could be so much worse. Credit must go to the current owners.
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