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 despite Lincoln spending 34 seasons in the second tier. Sunderland entered the First Division in 1890 – two seasons before Lincoln joined as founder members of the Second Division – and remained there until relegated in 1958. Indeed, Sunderland’s first-ever Football League fixture outside the First Division was a 3-1 defeat at Sincil Bank on 23 August 1958. The two clubs have met only thirteen times overall, with Sunderland having the advantage with six wins to four including this season’s win on penalties in the semi-final of the Papa John’s Trophy. This is only the fifth season the two have shared a division, emphasising the different paths the clubs have followed.
Playing connections have been rare, with only Barry Siddall, John McGinley, Chris Turner, Peter Daniel, Barry Richardson, Mick Harford, John Cornforth, David Preece, Mike Pollitt, Trevor Carson, Billy Knott and Liam Bridcutt appearing on the books of both clubs since 1980. Curiously, six of the twelve are goalkeepers.
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Sunderland Quiz below:
