James Allan, the man who founded Sunderland Association Football Club, died on this day. If it wasn't for Allan, we wouldn't have this great football club...
Allan was a great player, one of the best early footballers. He was a schoolmaster by trade, having studied at the Glasgow University. After arriving in Sunderland in 1877, he would originally teach at Hendon Board School, and later Hylton Road School.
In 1879 Allan formed Sunderland and District Teachers' Association Football Club, later known as Sunderland Association Football Club. The club was formed at Rectory Park School, Sunderland, and they went on to play at Blue House Field, Hendon.
His background in education meant that James often acted as club secretary, as well as being a real leader on the pitch. He appointed himself vice-captain, playing in the club's first ever competitive match. It was against Redcar in November 1884.
Clearly a talented footballer, Allan once somehow scored 12 goals in one match! It was a resounding 23-0 victory for the Lads in a friendly against Castletown. But he suffered a major injury in 1887, bringing the end to his playing days at the club he formed.
After leaving Sunderland, Allan actually founded another club. It was the distinguished, but short-lived, Sunderland Albion FC. But despite having a strong rivalry with the 'original' Sunderland at the time, Albion was disbanded in 1892 after just four years of existence.
