5 Biggest Football Clubs In North-East England
2. Sunderland
Sunderland plays in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded in October 1879, they were one of the earliest of teams of any note in the north-east of England. Just five clubs have won more top-flight titles than the Black Cats who have ruled English football on six occasions, and in 1937 the club lifted the FA Cup for the first time with Bob Stokoe and the Lads repeating the feat in 1973 against all odds.
The club plays their home games at the 49,000-capacity all-seater Stadium of Light having moved from Roker Park in 1997. The original ground capacity was 42,000 which was increased to 49,000 following expansion in 2000.
Sunderland have a long-standing rivalry with nearby club Newcastle United, with whom they have contested the Tyne-Wear derby since 1898. The club have played in red and white striped shirts and black shorts for nearly the entirety of its history.
Checkout: 10 Greatest Sunderland Players Ever
1. Newcastle United
Currently playing in the Premier League, Newcastle United, is one of the biggest clubs in the country. Since their foundation in 1892, they have won four League titles and six FA Cups, which makes them one of the most successful English clubs of all time. In addition to that, they have spent an impressive number of seasons in the top flight.
Their long-standing rivalry with Sunderland, colloquially known as the Tyne-Wear derby, is one of the fiercest local derbies in English football. The club’s traditional kit colours are black and white striped shirts, black shorts and black socks. Their crest has elements of the city coat of arms, which features two grey seahorses.
The club was formed through a merger of two older Tyneside clubs: Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. To signify the fusion, the newly formed club was named Newcastle United. St James’ Park has been the home ground of Newcastle United since 1892 and has been used for football since 1880.