A Look At The North East's Most Successful Club After Promotion (finally).
After winning England's second tier for three seasons running without promotion, Sunderland were finally promoted to the top flight with a fourth consecutive league title in 2014.
With star striker, Whitby-born Beth Mead, on song scoring fifteen goals in 20 appearances for the Wearsiders, Mick Mulhern's girls proved themselves worthy of WSL 1 status. Unfortunately, due to the full-time demands of WSL 1, Mulhern has stepped down and the club appointed Carlton Fairweather as Head Coach in January.
Sunderland have a great history, winning the Premier League National Division (then, the second tier) three years running, before the formation of the FA WSL 2. They were also Premier League Cup champions in 2012, and FA Women's Cup finalists in 2009. The Black Cats also won the Women's Premier League Northern Division (the third tier) in 2009.
Sunderland are also responsible for the development of seven of the current England squad. England captain Steph Houghton played for the club before moving to Arsenal. Houghton's Manchester City team mate, Jill Scott also played for the Black Cats. New Man City forward Demi Stokes also played for Sunderland. Former Liverpool defender Lucy Bronze played for the Mackems until 2010. Liverpool midfielder Lucy Staniforth started her senior career at Sunderland. Notts County goalkeeper Carly Telford also began her senior career with the Black Cats. Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs came through from Sunderland.
Sunderland boast a number of internationals throughout the ranks of the home nations. Striker Abbey Joice is a current England Under 19 player. Beth Mead has represented England at Under 15, 17, 19, and 23 levels. Forward Sophie Williams has also represented England at various levels. 20 year old winger Keira Ramshaw is an England youth international. Kelly McDougall is a former England international with 9 senior caps to her name. Sunderland born Northern Ireland midfielder Rachel Furness has scored 13 goals with her 48 caps. Winger Rebekah Bass has captained England colleges at international level. Sarah McFadden has played for teams in Iceland and has 40 caps for Northern Ireland. Young midfielder Brogan McHugh was part of the England squad at last year's UEFA Women's U17 Championship. Goalkeeper Rachael Laws has been called up to the England senior team after representing England at Under 23 level. She also spent time on loan at Liverpool, and was part of the 2013 FA WSL championship winning team.
So, with this much international talent coming through Sunderland, they certainly look good to stay up. Winning is clearly in the blood in Wearside, and don't be surprised to see the Black cats in the top half, or challenging for honours at the end of the season.
After winning England's second tier for three seasons running without promotion, Sunderland were finally promoted to the top flight with a fourth consecutive league title in 2014.
With star striker, Whitby-born Beth Mead, on song scoring fifteen goals in 20 appearances for the Wearsiders, Mick Mulhern's girls proved themselves worthy of WSL 1 status. Unfortunately, due to the full-time demands of WSL 1, Mulhern has stepped down and the club appointed Carlton Fairweather as Head Coach in January.
Sunderland have a great history, winning the Premier League National Division (then, the second tier) three years running, before the formation of the FA WSL 2. They were also Premier League Cup champions in 2012, and FA Women's Cup finalists in 2009. The Black Cats also won the Women's Premier League Northern Division (the third tier) in 2009.
Sunderland are also responsible for the development of seven of the current England squad. England captain Steph Houghton played for the club before moving to Arsenal. Houghton's Manchester City team mate, Jill Scott also played for the Black Cats. New Man City forward Demi Stokes also played for Sunderland. Former Liverpool defender Lucy Bronze played for the Mackems until 2010. Liverpool midfielder Lucy Staniforth started her senior career at Sunderland. Notts County goalkeeper Carly Telford also began her senior career with the Black Cats. Arsenal's Jordan Nobbs came through from Sunderland.
Sunderland boast a number of internationals throughout the ranks of the home nations. Striker Abbey Joice is a current England Under 19 player. Beth Mead has represented England at Under 15, 17, 19, and 23 levels. Forward Sophie Williams has also represented England at various levels. 20 year old winger Keira Ramshaw is an England youth international. Kelly McDougall is a former England international with 9 senior caps to her name. Sunderland born Northern Ireland midfielder Rachel Furness has scored 13 goals with her 48 caps. Winger Rebekah Bass has captained England colleges at international level. Sarah McFadden has played for teams in Iceland and has 40 caps for Northern Ireland. Young midfielder Brogan McHugh was part of the England squad at last year's UEFA Women's U17 Championship. Goalkeeper Rachael Laws has been called up to the England senior team after representing England at Under 23 level. She also spent time on loan at Liverpool, and was part of the 2013 FA WSL championship winning team.
So, with this much international talent coming through Sunderland, they certainly look good to stay up. Winning is clearly in the blood in Wearside, and don't be surprised to see the Black cats in the top half, or challenging for honours at the end of the season.
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