It almost goes without saying that Lincoln and Sunderland do not have a long competitive rivalry. The two clubs avoided each other in the earliest days of the Football League because Sunderland entered the First Division in 1891 – the season before Lincoln joined the Second Division – and remained there until relegated in 1958. Since then, the two clubs have met only ten times and have four wins each. This is only the fifth season the two have shared a division, highlighting the very different paths they have followed: Lincoln have finished above Sunderland only once, in 1959-60. Sunderland have six league titles and two FA Cups to their name, and surprisingly won the World Championship in 1895 by beating Hearts 5-3. Not a lot of people know that.
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Sunderland Quiz below:
One of my first games at Sincil Bank was in the old 2nd divison ending: Imps 3 Sunderland 1 (Roy Chapman 2 and Andy Graver).
Don Revie was down in the programme to play no 8 for them (inside right in those days), but I’m not sure that he did.
I seem to remember reading at the time that it was Sunderland’s first ever game outside of the old 1st division. Nice to meet them on equal terms again.
You’re absolutely right HighburyImp. Our first game outside the top division was on Aug. 23 1958 away to Lincoln, in front of 17,386.
However, Don Revie did not play that day, although he did feature for Sunderland that season.