Newcastle and Sunderland

Pre WW 2 Placings

Prior to the Second World War Sunderland consistently finished above us. They got a head start as they entered Division 1 in 1890/91 when Newcastle United did not even exist. Newcastle would enter Division 2 four years later by which time Sunderland had already been crowned Champions twice. (note that the United positions pre-League entry have been artificially derived as one place below the League).

It took until 1903/04 for United to finish above Sunderland by which time The Wearsiders had twice more won the League. During the following decade United redressed the balance somewhat winning three Championships in five years.

For the next couple of decades there was little to choose between the rivals, but Sunderland won the League twice to United's once. The years before the War saw United relegated and falling well behind.

Post WW 2 Placings

Once United were promoted the fifties and sixties was the teams following a very similar course with both teams doing well but then getting relegated and then promoted again

Since 1967/68 the chart clearly show how Tyne dominated over Wear. In the past 39 years United have finished in a higher League placing than Sunderland in 29 of them.

Yearly Position Comparison

The chart above illustrates the differences in League position between the two clubs. Columns above the mid-point show seasons when United finished higher and those below show when Sunderland did.

This gives a clear indication of the way the balance of power has changed; Sunderland's only dominant period since the late sixties being from 1978/79 to 1983/84.

The biggest difference in United's favour was in 1987/88 (+37) when Sunderland were among the third-raters and we finished 8th. The worst difference (-33) was exactly 50 years earlier when Sunderland finished 8th and we narrowly averted relegation to the Third.

Accumulated Position Trend

The final table accumulates the difference in position between the teams and shows the change in fortunes most clearly. Notice how Sunderland held the upper hand right until 1993/94.