Last updated : Tuesday, 04 March 2025
The Sunderland Sunday League stands as one of the most vibrant amateur football competitions in the North East of England. With multiple divisions including Premier, First, Second, and Third, the league provides competitive opportunities for teams of varying skill levels across the Sunderland area. The league currently features prominent clubs like Sunderland Stella Dons, Southwick, Redhouse, and Boldon Colliery, who regularly compete for top positions in their respective divisions.
This grassroots football institution has built a strong community presence, evidenced by its substantial social media following with over 3,000 Facebook followers and regular engagement from local football enthusiasts. The league maintains official online platforms including its website and social media accounts where fans and players can access updated league tables, fixtures, and other important information.
Since we're now in the 2024-2025 season, teams are deep into their competitive campaigns, with clubs like Hebburn The Clock, Penshaw Wanderers, and Grangetown Florists all vying for league honors. The Sunday morning matches have become a fixture of weekend sporting culture in Sunderland, bringing together players, supporters, and local communities in celebration of the beautiful game at its most authentic level.
History
The Sunderland Sunday Football League has been an integral part of local football culture for many decades. Like other Sunday leagues across England, it has operated under the auspices of the Football Association since 1964, as noted in the search results.
The league structure consists of multiple divisions including the Premier Division, First Division, Second Division, and Third Division. This hierarchy allows teams of different skill levels to compete appropriately while providing pathways for promotion and relegation.
Teams from various neighborhoods and communities throughout Sunderland participate in the league. Notable teams that have competed include Hylton CW, as referenced in the search results from historical archives dating back to 2004, 2008, and 2017.
The league has developed a rich tradition within the broader context of Sunderland's football heritage. This heritage is significant considering Sunderland A.F.C.'s impressive professional history, which includes six top-flight titles won in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, and 1936.
Sunday league football in Sunderland serves as a grassroots foundation for the sport in the region. It provides opportunities for players of all abilities to continue playing competitive football outside the professional ranks.
The league maintains an official website where fixtures, results, and standings are regularly updated. This digital presence has helped modernize the administration of the competition while preserving its community-focused traditions.
Age Groups and Divisions
The Sunderland Sunday League organizes its teams into several divisions based on age groups and competitive levels. The league structure typically includes adult divisions as well as junior and youth categories.
For adult teams, the league operates a multi-tier divisional system. Divisions with 12 teams or fewer run a subsidiary division comprising the same teams, providing additional competitive opportunities throughout the season.
Teams are grouped into appropriate divisions each season after annual sanctioning by the appropriate Football Association authority. This ensures fair competition between clubs of similar strength and development levels.
Since 1964, Sunday Leagues across England, including Sunderland's, have operated under the Football Association's governance. This affiliation enables member clubs to participate in various cup competitions beyond their regular league fixtures.
The league also features specialized age-restricted competitions, such as the Over 40s division managed by Sunderland and District Mill View. This division has specific rules approved by Durham County FA for the 2024-2025 season.
Youth teams, like Herrington FC Youth, participate in age-appropriate divisions designed to foster player development. These youth divisions follow modified rules suitable for different age groups while maintaining the competitive spirit of the league.
Committee/Staff/Contacts
The Sunderland Sunday League is managed by a dedicated committee of officials who oversee the league's operations. The league's President is Mr. S.T. Howe, who works alongside several Vice Presidents including Mr. K. Chisholm, Mr. J. Topping, Mr. C. Clark, and Mr. I. McCaskill.
The Chairman of the league is Mr. I. Ferguson, who can be found at 69b Vilette Road, Sunderland SR2. His leadership is crucial for the day-to-day management and long-term planning of the league's activities.
At the club level, management positions vary but typically include roles such as Chairman, Treasurer, Welfare Officer, COVID Officer, and Committee Members. For example, one club lists Daniel Johnson as Chairman, Yegor Rumble as Treasurer, and Alan Crooks as a Committee Member.
The Sunderland Sunday League maintains an active presence on social media with over 3,000 followers on their official Facebook page. This platform serves as an important communication channel for league announcements, fixtures, and results.
Contact information for league officials is essential for clubs needing assistance or clarification on league matters. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to the appropriate committee member depending on the nature of their inquiry.
Teams
The Sunderland Sunday League features several competitive teams across multiple divisions. According to recent information, Redhouse FC currently leads the standings with 30 points from 12 matches.
Southwick FC holds the second position with 27 points from 11 games, while The Lansdowne FC sits in third place with 24 points after playing 13 matches.
Other notable teams in the league include Marley Pots FC and Carpet Centres Sky Lounge Elite FC, who round out the top five positions in the table.
The league also features teams such as Washington The Wheelhouse First, AFC Houghton, and Whitburn Social Club First. Sunderland University Sunday adds an academic presence to the competition.
Teams like Boldon Colliery First, Hebburn The Clock Premier Scaffolding Fi, Herrington FC Youth First, Penshaw Wanderers First, Ryhope First, and South Shields The Old Ship comprise part of the league's diverse membership.
Recent developments show Myers FC has claimed the first division title as of March 2025, demonstrating the competitive nature of the league. The organization regularly updates standings and recognizes achievements throughout the season.
Players
The Sunderland Sunday League boasts a diverse roster of talented footballers across its various clubs. Teams like Velocity The Royalty FC, Monkton Villa FC, and Sunderland South Jolly feature prominently in the league's player registrations.
Notable players include Ryan Abba of Velocity The Royalty FC and Ryan Abbott who represents Monkton Villa FC. Cameron Abernethy is another registered player, competing for Sunderland South Jolly.
Some clubs maintain comprehensive player listings on their team pages. The Clock, for instance, features squad members including Kome Akpoborie, Sean Atkinson, Euan Barr, Adetunji Benson, and Ricky.
Top Scorers in the League:
- Andrew James Nelson (Carpet Centres Sky Lounge Elite FC) - 12 goals
- Unnamed Player (Southwick FC) - 10 matches
- Aiden Stanton (Redhouse)
Player statistics are tracked throughout the season, allowing fans and team management to monitor individual performances. These stats help identify standout talents and top contributors across the competition.
Several teams maintain dedicated webpages where supporters can view player profiles, match appearances, and scoring records. This transparency adds another dimension to the competitive nature of the Sunderland Sunday League.
