Points: 42 Appearances: 227 Goals: 0

When Mickey Gray and SuperKev played together for England against Hungary in April 1999, it was the first time that two Sunderland players had played together for England since Albert McInroy and Warney Cresswell in 1927. McInroy came to Sunderland as a youngster and played for the Lads for 6 seasons. His agility and intelligent football mind made him a first team regular. Sadly for McInroy, he moved to Newcastle in 1929, and he even helped them win the FA Cup in 1932.

Pts: 43 Apps: 190 Goals: 4

In an attacking team, someone always needs to do the basic, defensive, donkey work, just ask Kevin Ball. Frank Cuggy faced a similar situation. Before the Great War, Sunderland’s right side contained both Jackie Mordue and Charlie Buchan, leaving Frank Cuggy to stay back and stem the opposition’s attacks. Cuggy was a persistent and tenacious right half who played in the team that almost clinched the double in 1912/13. Unfortunately for Cuggy, the war prevented him adding to his 2 England caps.

Pts: 43 Apps: 110 Goals: 34

John Scott was a tricky left sided inside forward who was part of the Sunderland side that enjoyed such huge success during the 1890s. A regular in the team, Scott helped Sunderland to win 3 Championships in four seasons between 1892 and 1895. Scott formed an effective partnership down the left wing with David Hannah. Both players were, in fact, ever present during the inaugural season of the league. Scott left Sunderland for the sunny pastures of South Shields in 1897.

Pts: 44 Apps: 190 Goals: 0

A regular England International, Warney Cresswell moved to Sunderland from South Shields in 1922 for a record fee of £5,500. Cresswell was a composed right back who was a renowned tackler and had the ability to deliver accurate clearances. Part of the Sunderland team that were runners-up to Liverpool in 1922/23, Cresswell moved to Everton in 1927 when he was 30. During his time at Goodison he enjoyed even more success, winning the League Championship twice and the FA Cup in 1933.

Pts: 44 Apps: 169 Goals: 10

A left half who could also operate as a centre half, Dicky Jackson was a member of the 1902 Championship team. Arriving from the smog-monsters in 1898, Jackson became a dependable and lively figure in the team. The strength of Sunderland's defence was perhaps the key factor in the 1902 Title triumph. Following the end of his playing career, Jackson became manager of Darlington where he won the North-Eastern League Championship. He was then appointed assistant manger at Middlesbrough.

Pts: 45 Apps: 175 Goals: 162

In his four seasons with Sunderland, Dave Halliday scored an unbelievable 162 goals in 175 appearances, and still holds the record seasonal tally of 43 goals in 42 league games. A natural centre forward, Halliday was big, powerful, and deadly in front of goal. Also prolific at Arsenal, Manchester City and Dundee, Halliday scored throughout his league career, 347 goals in 464 games. Undoubtedly the most unbelievable aspect of Halliday's career is that he was never capped by Scotland.

Pts: 45 Apps: 231 Goals: 24

An ever present in the 1912/13 season when Sunderland nearly won the League and Cup double, Harry Martin was a quality left winger. In typical Martin Smith fashion, Harry was able to glide past his marker and deliver a telling cross. The Great War dramatically curtailed both his Sunderland and England career though. He won his only England cap in 1914, and was only able to guest for Nottingham Forest during the war. Martin made his move to Forest permanent in 1922, where he stayed for 3 seasons.

Pts: 45 Apps: 164 Goals: 6

Despite having a very respectable tash, Andy McCombie may well have been the inspiration for such hate figures as Lee Clark and Shay Given. Full back McCombie had spent five very successful seasons with Sunderland where he had been capped by Scotland and won the Championship in 1902. McCombie then had the audacity to move to the scum in 1904, where he played until 1910, and coached until 1950! Justice prevailed though when McCombie returned to Roker with Newcastle in 1904. He scored an own-goal as Sunderland ran out 3-1 winners.

Pts: 46 Apps: 256 Goals: 12

Charlie Parker was about as tall as Jeff Whitley, yet was Sunderland's centre half throughout the 20s. Born in Seaham, Charlie was signed from Stoke for £3,300 in 1920. This was a phenomenal amount for a centre half, especially considering Parker was nearly 30. He was a remarkably consistent player, regularly appearing between 30 and 40 times a season. When Charlie Buchan left for Arsenal in 1924, Parker took over the captaincy and kept it until his move to Carlisle as player-coach in 1929.