# List of Sunderland A.F.C. seasons

Sunderland Association Football Club was founded in 1879 as Sunderland & District Teachers Association Football Club by James Allan. They turned professional in 1885. Sunderland won their first Football League championship in the 1891–92 season two years after joining the league. They won the next Football League First Division on three occasions in four seasons; in 1892, 1893 and 1895, separated by a runner-up spot in 1894. In the 1901–02 season, Sunderland won their fifth Football League First Division championship. They came close to completing the "league and cup double" in the 1912–13 season, winning the league but losing to Aston Villa in the 1913 FA Cup final. The team's next success came in the 1935–36 season when they won the League Championship and also the Charity Shield. They had not won the FA Cup until the 1936–37 season when they defeated Preston North End in the 1937 FA Cup final. Sunderland entered The Football League in 1890 and were not relegated from the top division until the 1957–58 season; a total of 58 seasons in the highest division of England. Their next trophy came in the 1973 FA Cup final as they beat Leeds United 1–0. They reached the 1985 Football League Cup final but finished as runners-up to Norwich City after being beaten 1–0. In the 1986–87 season Sunderland were relegated to the Football League Third Division for the first time in their history under the management of Lawrie McMenemy, they however, returned to the second division the following season as champions–their lowest position in the English football league system until 2019. Their first appearance in the Premier League came in the 1996–97 season after being promoted as champions from Division One. They were relegated after a single campaign but won promotion as Champions again in the 1998–99 season acquiring 105 points on the way, a second tier record at the time. Sunderland gained just 15 points in the 2005–06 season, which set the record for the lowest number of points in a top flight season for 3 points for a win, which has since been eclipsed by Derby County.
Sunderland have won the League Championship six times, the FA Cup twice, and the Charity Shield three times (including the Sheriff of London Charity Shield). They have been runners-up in the League Championship five times, in the FA Cup twice and in the League Cup twice. In European competitions, Sunderland have reached the second round stage of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. The table details the club's achievements in all national and European first-team competitions, and records their top league goalscorer, for each completed season.

## Key

| Winners | Runners-up | 3rd place | Play-offs | Test matches | Semi-finals | Promoted | Relegated | Current Season |
Divisions in bold indicate a change in division. Players in bold indicate the top scorer in the division that season. Players in italics indicate the top scorer in Europe that season.

## Seasons

| Season | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe / Other | Europe / Other | Top league goalscorer(s) | Top league goalscorer(s) |
| Season | Division (tier) | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Pos | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe / Other | Europe / Other | Player(s) | Goals |
| 1884–85 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | QR | | | | | |
| 1885–86 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | QR | | | | | |
| 1886–87 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | QR | | | | | |
| 1887–88 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | There was no league football until 1888–89 | Disq | | | | | |
| 1888–89 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | QR | | | | | |
| 1889–90 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | Sunderland did not join The Football League until 1890–91 | R1 | | | | | |
| 1890–91 | FL (1) | 22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 51 | 31 | 23 | 7th | SF | | | | Johnny Campbell | 19 |
| 1891–92 | FL (1) | 26 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 93 | 36 | 42 | 1st | SF | | Football World Championship | W | Johnny Campbell | 32 |
| 1892–93 | Div 1 (1) | 30 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 36 | 48 | 1st | QF | | Football World Championship | W | Johnny Campbell | 31 |
| 1893–94 | Div 1 (1) | 30 | 17 | 4 | 9 | 72 | 44 | 38 | 2nd | R2 | | | | Jimmy Millar | 20 |
| 1894–95 | Div 1 (1) | 30 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 80 | 37 | 47 | 1st | SF | | Football World Championship | W | Johnny Campbell | 22 |
| 1895–96 | Div 1 (1) | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 52 | 41 | 37 | 5th | R2 | | | | Johnny Campbell | 15 |
| 1896–97 | Div 1 (1) | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 34 | 47 | 23 | 15th | R2 | | Football League Test Matches | 2nd | James GillespieJimmy Hannah | 8 |
| 1897–98 | Div 1 (1) | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 43 | 30 | 37 | 2nd | R1 | | | | John BrownJim LeslieHughie Wilson | 8 |
| 1898–99 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 15 | 6 | 13 | 41 | 41 | 36 | 7th | R2 | | | | Jim Leslie | 9 |
| 1899–1900 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 19 | 3 | 12 | 50 | 35 | 41 | 3rd | R2 | | | | Colin McLatchie | 10 |
| 1900–01 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 57 | 26 | 43 | 2nd | R1 | | | | Geordie Livingstone | 12 |
| 1901–02 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 50 | 35 | 44 | 1st | R2 | | | | Jimmy GemmellBilly Hogg | 10 |
| 1902–03 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 51 | 36 | 41 | 3rd | R1 | | Sheriff of London Charity Shield | W | Jimmy GemmellJoe HewittJimmy Millar | 7 |
| 1903–04 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 63 | 49 | 39 | 6th | R1 | | | | Jack CraggsBilly Hogg | 12 |
| 1904–05 | Div 1 (1) | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 60 | 44 | 40 | 5th | R1 | | | | George HolleyWalter Watkins | 9 |
| 1905–06 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 15 | 5 | 18 | 61 | 70 | 35 | 14th | R3 | | | | Arthur Bridgett | 17 |
| 1906–07 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 65 | 66 | 37 | 10th | R3 | | | | Arthur Bridgett | 25 |
| 1907–08 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 16 | 3 | 19 | 78 | 75 | 35 | 16th | R1 | | | | George Holley | 23 |
| 1908–09 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 21 | 2 | 15 | 78 | 63 | 44 | 3rd | QF | | | | George Holley | 18 |
| 1909–10 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 18 | 5 | 15 | 66 | 51 | 41 | 8th | R3 | | | | George Holley | 20 |
| 1910–11 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 67 | 48 | 45 | 3rd | R1 | | | | Tim Coleman | 19 |
| 1911–12 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 58 | 51 | 39 | 8th | R3 | | | | George Holley | 25 |
| 1912–13 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 25 | 4 | 9 | 86 | 43 | 54 | 1st | RU | | | | Charlie Buchan | 27 |
| 1913–14 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 17 | 6 | 15 | 63 | 52 | 40 | 7th | QF | | | | George Holley | 15 |
| 1914–15 | Div 1 (1) | 38 | 18 | 5 | 15 | 81 | 72 | 41 | 8th | R1 | | | | Charlie Buchan | 23 |
| The Football League and FA Cup were suspended until after the First World War. ||||||||||||||||
| 1919–20 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 22 | 4 | 16 | 72 | 59 | 48 | 5th | R3 | | | | Charlie Buchan | 21 |
| 1920–21 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 57 | 60 | 41 | 12th | R1 | | | | Charlie Buchan | 27 |
| 1921–22 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 60 | 62 | 40 | 12th | R1 | | | | Charlie Buchan | 21 |
| 1922–23 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 72 | 54 | 54 | 2nd | R2 | | | | Charlie Buchan | 30 |
| 1923–24 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 71 | 54 | 53 | 3rd | R1 | | | | Charlie Buchan | 26 |
| 1924–25 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 64 | 51 | 48 | 7th | R2 | | | | Bobby Marshall | 18 |
| 1925–26 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 96 | 80 | 48 | 3rd | R5 | | | | Dave Halliday | 38 |
| 1926–27 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 98 | 70 | 49 | 3rd | R3 | | | | Dave Halliday | 36 |
| 1927–28 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 74 | 76 | 39 | 15th | R4 | | | | Dave Halliday | 35 |
| 1928–29 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 93 | 75 | 47 | 4th | R3 | | | | Dave Halliday | 43 |
| 1929–30 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 76 | 80 | 43 | 9th | R5 | | | | Bobby Gurney | 15 |
| 1930–31 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 89 | 85 | 41 | 11th | SF | | | | Bobby Gurney | 30 |
| 1931–32 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 67 | 73 | 40 | 13th | R4 | | | | Bobby Gurney | 16 |
| 1932–33 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 63 | 80 | 40 | 12th | QF | | | | Bobby Gurney | 15 |
| 1933–34 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 81 | 56 | 44 | 6th | R4 | | | | Bobby Gurney | 21 |
| 1934–35 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 19 | 16 | 7 | 90 | 51 | 54 | 2nd | R4 | | | | Bobby Gurney | 30 |
| 1935–36 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 25 | 6 | 11 | 109 | 74 | 56 | 1st | R3 | | | | Raich CarterBobby Gurney | 31 |
| 1936–37 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 19 | 6 | 17 | 89 | 87 | 44 | 8th | W | | Charity Shield | W | Raich Carter | 26 |
| 1937–38 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 55 | 57 | 44 | 8th | SF | | Charity Shield | RU | Raich Carter | 13 |
| 1938–39 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 54 | 67 | 38 | 16th | R5 | | | | Raich Carter | 15 |
| 1939–40 | Div 1 (1) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 2 | — | — | | | | | |
| The Football League and FA Cup were suspended until after the Second World War. ||||||||||||||||
| 1945–46 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | R5 | | | | | |
| 1946–47 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 65 | 66 | 44 | 9th | R3 | | | | Jackie RobinsonCliff Whitelum | 17 |
| 1947–48 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 56 | 67 | 36 | 20th | R3 | | | | Dickie Davis | 12 |
| 1948–49 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 13 | 17 | 12 | 49 | 58 | 43 | 8th | R4 | | | | Dickie Davis | 10 |
| 1949–50 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 83 | 62 | 52 | 3rd | R4 | | | | Dickie Davis | 25 |
| 1950–51 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 63 | 73 | 40 | 12th | QF | | | | Trevor Ford | 16 |
| 1951–52 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 70 | 61 | 42 | 12th | R3 | | | | Trevor FordLen Shackleton | 22 |
| 1952–53 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 68 | 82 | 43 | 9th | R4 | | | | Trevor Ford | 20 |
| 1953–54 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 81 | 89 | 36 | 18th | R3 | | | | Tommy Wright | 18 |
| 1954–55 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 15 | 18 | 9 | 64 | 54 | 48 | 4th | SF | | | | Ken Chisholm | 18 |
| 1955–56 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 80 | 95 | 43 | 9th | SF | | | | Charlie Fleming | 29 |
| 1956–57 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 67 | 88 | 32 | 20th | R4 | | | | Charlie Fleming | 25 |
| 1957–58 | Div 1 (1) ↓ | 42 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 54 | 97 | 32 | 21st | R3 | | | | Alan O'Neill | 13 |
| 1958–59 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 64 | 75 | 40 | 15th | R3 | | | | Don Kichenbrand | 21 |
| 1959–60 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 52 | 65 | 36 | 16th | R3 | | | | Ian Lawther | 17 |
| 1960–61 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 75 | 60 | 47 | 6th | QF | R2 | | | Ian Lawther | 24 |
| 1961–62 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 22 | 9 | 11 | 85 | 50 | 53 | 3rd | R4 | QF | | | Brian Clough | 29 |
| 1962–63 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 20 | 12 | 10 | 84 | 55 | 52 | 3rd | R5 | SF | | | Brian Clough | 24 |
| 1963–64 | Div 2 (2) ↑ | 42 | 25 | 11 | 6 | 81 | 37 | 61 | 2nd | QF | R2 | | | Johnny Crossan | 22 |
| 1964–65 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 64 | 74 | 37 | 15th | R4 | R4 | | | Nick Sharkey | 18 |
| 1965–66 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 51 | 72 | 36 | 19th | R3 | R3 | | | Neil MartinGeorge Mulhall | 8 |
| 1966–67 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 8 | 20 | 58 | 72 | 36 | 17th | R5 | R2 | | | Neil Martin | 20 |
| 1967–68 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 51 | 61 | 37 | 15th | R3 | R4 | | | Colin Suggett | 14 |
| 1968–69 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 43 | 67 | 34 | 17th | R3 | R2 | | | Colin Suggett | 9 |
| 1969–70 | Div 1 (1) ↓ | 42 | 6 | 14 | 22 | 30 | 68 | 26 | 21st | R3 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Gordon Harris | 7 |
| 1970–71 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 52 | 54 | 42 | 13th | R3 | R2 | | | Joe Baker | 10 |
| 1971–72 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 17 | 16 | 9 | 67 | 57 | 50 | 5th | R4 | R2 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Dennis TueartDave Watson | 13 |
| 1972–73 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 59 | 49 | 46 | 6th | W | R2 | | | Billy Hughes | 15 |
| 1973–74 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 19 | 9 | 14 | 58 | 44 | 47 | 6th | R3 | R3 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | R2 | Vic Halom | 18 |
| 1974–75 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 65 | 35 | 51 | 4th | R4 | R2 | Texaco Cup | Grp | Pop Robson | 19 |
| 1975–76 | Div 2 (2) ↑ | 42 | 24 | 8 | 10 | 67 | 36 | 56 | 1st | QF | R2 | Anglo-Scottish Cup | Grp | Pop Robson | 13 |
| 1976–77 | Div 1 (1) ↓ | 42 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 46 | 54 | 34 | 20th | R3 | R3 | | | Bob Lee | 13 |
| 1977–78 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 67 | 59 | 44 | 6th | R3 | R2 | | | Gary Rowell | 18 |
| 1978–79 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 70 | 44 | 55 | 4th | R4 | R2 | Anglo-Scottish Cup | Grp | Gary Rowell | 21 |
| 1979–80 | Div 2 (2) ↑ | 42 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 69 | 42 | 54 | 2nd | R3 | R4 | Anglo-Scottish Cup | Grp | Pop Robson | 20 |
| 1980–81 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 52 | 53 | 35 | 17th | R3 | R2 | | | Gary Rowell | 10 |
| 1981–82 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 38 | 58 | 44 | 19th | R4 | R3 | | | Gary Rowell | 9 |
| 1982–83 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 48 | 61 | 50 | 16th | R3 | R3 | | | Gary Rowell | 16 |
| 1983–84 | Div 1 (1) | 42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 42 | 53 | 52 | 13th | R4 | R3 | | | Colin West | 9 |
| 1984–85 | Div 1 (1) ↓ | 42 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 40 | 62 | 40 | 21st | R3 | RU | | | Clive Walker | 10 |
| 1985–86 | Div 2 (2) | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 47 | 61 | 50 | 18th | R4 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | ASF | Eric Gates | 9 |
| 1986–87 | Div 2 (2) ↓ | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 49 | 59 | 48 | 20th | R3 | R1 | Full Members' Cup | R2 | David BuchananMark Proctor | 8 |
| 1987–88 | Div 3 (3) ↑ | 42 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 92 | 48 | 93 | 1st | R2 | R1 | Associate Members' Cup | AQF | Marco Gabbiadini | 21 |
| 1988–89 | Div 2 (2) | 46 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 60 | 60 | 63 | 11th | R3 | R2 | Full Members' Cup | R2 | Marco Gabbiadini | 18 |
| 1989–90 | Div 2 (2) ↑ | 46 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 70 | 64 | 74 | 6th | R3 | QF | Full Members' CupSecond Division Play-offs | R1RU | Marco Gabbiadini | 21 |
| 1990–91 | Div 1 (1) ↓ | 38 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 38 | 60 | 34 | 19th | R3 | R3 | Full Members' Cup | R3 | Marco Gabbiadini | 9 |
| 1991–92 | Div 2 (2) | 46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 61 | 65 | 53 | 18th | RU | R2 | | | Don Goodman | 11 |
| 1992–93 | Div 1 (2) | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 50 | 64 | 50 | 21st | R4 | R1 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Don Goodman | 16 |
| 1993–94 | Div 1 (2) | 46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 54 | 57 | 65 | 12th | R4 | R3 | Anglo-Italian Cup | Grp | Phil Gray | 14 |
| 1994–95 | Div 1 (2) | 46 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 41 | 45 | 54 | 20th | R4 | R2 | | | Phil Gray | 12 |
| 1995–96 | Div 1 (2) ↑ | 46 | 22 | 17 | 7 | 59 | 33 | 83 | 1st | R3 | R2 | | | Craig Russell | 13 |
| 1996–97 | Prem (1) ↓ | 38 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 35 | 53 | 40 | 18th | R3 | R3 | | | Craig RussellPaul Stewart | 4 |
| 1997–98 | Div 1 (2) | 46 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 86 | 50 | 90 | 3rd | R4 | R3 | First Division Play-offs | RU | Kevin Phillips | 29 |
| 1998–99 | Div 1 (2) ↑ | 46 | 31 | 12 | 3 | 91 | 28 | 105 | 1st | R4 | SF | | | Kevin Phillips | 23 |
| 1999–2000 | Prem (1) | 38 | 16 | 10 | 12 | 57 | 56 | 58 | 7th | R4 | R3 | | | Kevin Phillips | 30 |
| 2000–01 | Prem (1) | 38 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 46 | 41 | 57 | 7th | R5 | QF | | | Kevin Phillips | 14 |
| 2001–02 | Prem (1) | 38 | 10 | 10 | 18 | 29 | 51 | 40 | 17th | R3 | R2 | | | Kevin Phillips | 11 |
| 2002–03 | Prem (1) ↓ | 38 | 4 | 7 | 27 | 21 | 65 | 19 | 20th | R5 | R4 | | | Kevin Phillips | 6 |
| 2003–04 | Div 1 (2) | 46 | 22 | 13 | 11 | 62 | 45 | 79 | 3rd | SF | R2 | First Division Play-offs | SF | Marcus Stewart | 14 |
| 2004–05 | Chmp (2) ↑ | 46 | 29 | 7 | 10 | 76 | 41 | 94 | 1st | R4 | R2 | | | Marcus Stewart | 16 |
| 2005–06 | Prem (1) ↓ | 38 | 3 | 6 | 29 | 26 | 69 | 15 | 20th | R4 | R3 | | | Liam LawrenceAnthony Le TallecTommy MillerDean Whitehead | 3 |
| 2006–07 | Chmp (2) ↑ | 46 | 27 | 7 | 12 | 76 | 47 | 88 | 1st | R3 | R1 | | | David Connolly | 13 |
| 2007–08 | Prem (1) | 38 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 36 | 59 | 39 | 15th | R3 | R2 | | | Kenwyne Jones | 7 |
| 2008–09 | Prem (1) | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 34 | 54 | 36 | 16th | R4 | R4 | | | Djibril CisséKenwyne Jones | 10 |
| 2009–10 | Prem (1) | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 48 | 56 | 44 | 13th | R4 | R4 | | | Darren Bent | 25 |
| 2010–11 | Prem (1) | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 45 | 56 | 47 | 10th | R3 | R3 | | | Asamoah Gyan | 10 |
| 2011–12 | Prem (1) | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 45 | 46 | 45 | 13th | QF | R2 | | | Nicklas Bendtner | 8 |
| 2012–13 | Prem (1) | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 41 | 54 | 39 | 17th | R3 | R4 | | | Steven Fletcher | 11 |
| 2013–14 | Prem (1) | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 41 | 60 | 38 | 14th | QF | RU | Premier League Asia Trophy | RU | Adam Johnson | 8 |
| 2014–15 | Prem (1) | 38 | 7 | 17 | 14 | 31 | 53 | 38 | 16th | R5 | R3 | | | Steven FletcherConnor Wickham | 5 |
| 2015–16 | Prem (1) | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 48 | 62 | 39 | 17th | R3 | R3 | | | Jermain Defoe | 15 |
| 2016–17 | Prem (1) ↓ | 38 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 29 | 69 | 24 | 20th | R3 | R4 | | | Jermain Defoe | 14 |
| 2017–18 | Chmp (2) ↓ | 46 | 7 | 16 | 23 | 52 | 80 | 37 | 24th | R3 | R3 | | | Lewis Grabban | 12 |
| 2018–19 | One (3) | 46 | 22 | 19 | 5 | 80 | 47 | 85 | 5th | R2 | R1 | EFL TrophyLeague One Play-offs | RU RU | Josh Maja | 15 |
| 2019–20 | One (3) | 36 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 48 | 32 | 59 | 8th | R1 | R4 | EFL Trophy | Grp | Chris Maguire | 10 |
| 2020–21 | One (3) | 46 | 20 | 17 | 9 | 70 | 42 | 77 | 4th | R1 | R1 | EFL TrophyLeague One Play-offs | WSF | Charlie Wyke | 26 |
| 2021–22 | One (3) ↑ | 46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 79 | 53 | 84 | 5th | R1 | QF | EFL TrophyLeague One Play-offs | R2W | Ross Stewart | 26 |
| 2022–23 | Chmp (2) | 46 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 68 | 55 | 69 | 6th | R4 | R1 | Championship Play-offs | SF | Amad Diallo | 13 |
| 2023–24 | Chmp (2) | 46 | 16 | 8 | 22 | 52 | 54 | 56 | 16th | R3 | R1 | | | Jack Clarke | 15 |

### Overall

* Seasons spent at Level 1 of the football league system: 87
* Seasons spent at Level 2 of the football league system: 33
* Seasons spent at Level 3 of the football league system: 5
* Seasons spent at Level 4 of the football league system: 0
(as of 2024–25 season)

## Footnotes

* ↑ The League Cup competition started in the 1960–61 season.
* ↑ Sunderland were disqualified from the FA Cup after beating Middlesbrough 4–2 in a third qualifying round replay, Middlesbrough protested that Sunderland had paid three of their players, they were disqualified for "professionalism".
* ↑ Sunderland were deducted two points due to fielding Ned Doig, an ineligible player, finishing the season on 23 points.
* ↑ Won against Scottish Cup winners Celtic 4–0 on aggregate (1–0 at Newcastle Road, Sunderland and 3–0 at Celtic Park, Glasgow).
* ↑ The Football League expanded to two divisions in 1892, absorbing most of the teams from the Football Alliance. The league previously known simply as the Football League became the Football League First Division.
* ↑ Won against Scottish Cup winners Queen's Park 4–2 at Newcastle Road, Sunderland.
* ↑ Won against Scottish League champions Heart of Midlothian 5–3 at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh.
* ↑ Sunderland retained their place in Division One by winning one and drawing two of four test matches, playing home and away against Notts County and Newton Heath.
* ↑ The Sheriff of London Charity Shield was a football competition in England, which lasted from 1898 to 1907, it was last won by Newcastle United. It was made defunct, and succeeded by the Charity Shield.
* ↑ Holley was joint-top Division One scorer with Harry Hampton and David McLean of Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
* ↑ Club record for most league goals (43) scored in a season.
* ↑ Won against Preston North End 3–1 in final at the old Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ The Charity Shield was first played for in 1908. In its early years, the match took place at the end of the season, but was subsequently moved to September or October of the following season. From 1959 onwards it has been played in August, prior to the beginning of the league programme. It was renamed the FA Community Shield in 2002.
* ↑ The 1939–40 season was abandoned in early September and all results annulled.
* ↑ The FA Cup was contested in 1945–46 but the Football League did not resume until the following season.
* ↑ Won against Leeds United 1–0 in final at the old Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Sunderland qualified for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup after winning the 1973 FA Cup Final, they made it to the Second Round where they won the first leg of their match against Sporting CP 2–1. They lost 0–2 in the second leg, and were knocked out, beaten 2–3 on aggregate.
* ↑ The 1981–82 season saw the introduction of three points for a win.
* ↑ Lost to Norwich City 0–1 in final at the old Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Relegated through promotion-relegation play-offs, after being beaten on the away goals rule in a 6–6 draw over two legs against Gillingham. This was also the first time they had been relegated to the third tier of English football.
* ↑ Swindon Town were initially promoted to Division One through the play-offs after beating Sunderland 1–0 at the old Wembley Stadium. However, Sunderland were instead promoted as Swindon had made illegal payments that season.
* ↑ With the advent of the Premier League, the second tier of English football became known as the First Division.
* ↑ Lost 6–7 on penalties, after finishing 4–4 after extra time, to Charlton Athletic in play-off final at the old Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Lost 4–5 on penalties, after finishing 4–4 on aggregate, in play-off semi-finals to Crystal Palace.
* ↑ In 2004–05 the Football League First Division had been renamed the Football League Championship as part of a re-branding exercise by the Football League.
* ↑ Lost to Manchester City 1–3 in final at Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Lost to Charlton Athletic 1–2 in play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Lost to Portsmouth 4–5 on penalties, after finishing 2–2 after extra time, in final at Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Lowest League finish.
* ↑ Lost to Lincoln City 2–3 on aggregate in play-off semi-finals.
* ↑ Won against Tranmere Rovers 1–0 in final at Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Won against Wycombe Wanderers 2–0 in play-off final at Wembley Stadium.
* ↑ Lost to Luton Town 2–3 on aggregate in play-off semi-finals.