The big day is almost here, the time when the big man comes bearing presents and football on Boxing Day. In years gone by, clubs used to play their closest rivals on this day providing they were in the same division together. However, in the modern-day schedule then you can expect the fixture list to send you anywhere in the division. Therefore, it wouldn't be inconceivable for the EFL's fixture computer to send the Lads to somewhere like Plymouth. Thankfully, we have the reasonably manageable trip to Ewood Park in Blackburn this season where we will be backed by another massive away support as usual. In this article, we look back on four hand-picked Boxing Day encounters from the Lads' illustrious history books.
1890-91: ASTON VILLA 0 SUNDERLAND 0
The first ever League game that SAFC played on Boxing Day came in their maiden league campaign against Aston Villa. An attendance of 7000 was present at Wellington Road in the Perry Barr district of the Second City to see the hosts take on the Football League newcomers. Alas they saw no goals with the teams' shaking hands on a goalless draw. That draw was SAFC's second draw of the season, having lost 1-0 at Anfield (the then home of Everton) a month previous. SAFC would finish that season in 7th place, just six points behind the Toffees who won their maiden league title. They also had two points deducted for fielding an ineligible player in the third match of the campaign.
1912-13: SUNDERLAND 0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2
When SAFC entertained Sheffield Wednesday at Roke on Boxing Day 1912, they came into on the back of a 2-1 win at Hillsborough just 24 hours previously. Around 15000 were in our former home to see the Owls avenge that loss with an away win of their own. First half goals from David McLean and Sam Kirkman were enough for Owls to take the two points on offer. However, that defeat only spurred on Bob Kyle's Lads as they went on a run of just one further league defeat in 18 that would ultimately lead them to their fifth of six league titles. Top scorer that season would be Charles Buchan, he of the football annuals, who bagged 27 times.
2001-02: BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 SUNDERLAND 3
This season sees the Lads take on Blackburn at Ewood, and this was also the location of one of the best away Boxing Day wins of recent times. The Lads would win 3-0 in a comprehensive away performance that saw Niall Quinn score twice in the first 32 minutes, and substitute Kevin Kilbane added the gloss with a last minute third. That win took the Lads up to ninth place in the Premier League, but our form dipped considerably after as we won just three times in the second half of the season to finish just four points and one place above the drop zone.
2023-24: HULL CITY 0 SUNDERLAND 1
Last season saw the Lads travel to East Yorkshire take on the Tigers at the MKM Stadium. The match was the first away game under the stewardship of Michael Beale, with the Lads looking to bounce back from a 0-3 home loss just 72 hours previous. We would win the encounter by a single Jack Clarke effort where he cut inside before curling a beautiful effort into Matt Ingram's bottom corner. We went into sixth place with that win, but Beale would last just ten more games before being relieved of his duties as our season went into absolute freefall. Here's hoping that Régis doesn't suffer a similar fate.
