SUNDERLAND

THE BLACK CATS OF THE NORTH-EAST

The Latin motto Consectatio Excellentiae graces Sunderland’s emblem, meaning ‘Striving for perfection’. If we look at the modern history of Sunderland FC, it seems appropriate . . . up to a point. This north eastern club, with its proud and successful tradition, has not quite managed to live up its own motto in recent years. Although Sunderland can boast six league titles and two FA Cup victories, you have to go back to 1973 for their most recent triumph. Since then, the club has floundered blindly, acquiring the reputation of a yo-yo team that swings between the Premier League, Championship and League One.

Founded in 1879, Sunderland had already won four league titles by time the they adopted the black cat crest in 1905. The original black cat was an 1800s artillery gun sited on the bank of the River Wear, but it was the feline symbol that would inspire fans’ badges, giant cardboard cut-outs and 1980s inflatables. However, in Sunderland’s greatest moments, this good luck omen has been shunned. The 1937 FA Cup victory saw them wear town crest badges and in the legendary 1973 Cup Final, when they slew the giant Leeds United, they sported a then-fashionable monogrammed logo.

A new crest introduced in the late 20th century referenced the area’s shipbuilding links – only for the club to mirror that industry’s struggle and decline rather too often. Then in 1997 an impressive new arena, the Stadium of Light, brought fresh optimism. Along with it came a new crest: an emblem celebrating the heritage of the local area and accompanied by a Latin motto Consectatio Excellentiae. Maybe it’s time to focus on striving for perfection again.

CLUB: Sunderland AFC

NICKNAME: The Black Cats

FOUNDED: 1879

STADIUM: Stadium of Light, Sunderland (49,000 capacity)

HISTORIC PLAYERS: Jimmy Montgomery, Bobby Gurney, Charlie Buchan, Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn

1905–1977. In Sunderland’s first emblem, their nickname, the Black Cats, was given prominence by the black cat at its centre. One hundred years after the artillery the black cat was created the then chairman FW Taylor was photographed with a black cat. Since then the cat has symbolised the club on match programmes, team shirts and even as a mascot.

1977–1997. At the end of the 1970s, an updated emblem appeared – from which the cat had vanished. Instead the crest reinforced the identity of Sunderland as a port, thanks to the image of a boat on the Wear. The background to the boat was initially blue but was changed to black in 1991.

1997–present. Along with the move from Roker Park to the newly built Stadium of Light in 1997, the emblem was brought up to date. The boat went, but other local elements were included. The black lions, taken from Sunderland’s city crest, flank the shield, on which there are two local sights. Down on the right is the Wearmouth Bridge and up on the left the Penshaw monument. At the top of the crest is the Latin motto Consectatio Excellentiae and a wheel symbolising coalmines – a reminder of the industry that was of vital importance to the city for so long. In fact, the Stadium of Light was built on the site of an old coalmine.

While wearing the red stripes of Sunderland, Kevin Phillips was the Premier League top scorer in the 1999/2000 season with 30 goals. This secured him the Golden Boot, a prize awarded each season to the leading goalscorer in league matches from Europe’s top divisions.