Alious
As Sunderland prepare for their first Championship play-off final appearance in over two decades, fans are hoping for a different kind of historic moment at Wembley—one that involves actual victory this time around. But rewind the clock to 1990, and you’ll find a bizarre, never-repeated event in English football history: Sunderland achieved promotion *despite* losing the play-off final.
This weekend, Regis Le Bris’ energetic young Sunderland squad will square off against Sheffield United in a high-stakes showdown for a place in the Premier League. The Black Cats have impressed for much of the campaign, finishing fourth in the table and dramatically overcoming Coventry City in the semi-finals, thanks to a last-gasp Dan Ballard header that sent the Stadium of Light into ecstasy.
Yet the club’s overall play-off track record is far from sparkling—especially in the second tier. They’ve reached the final twice at this level before and walked away empty-handed each time. Except for one odd twist of fate in 1990, which still stands alone in the annals of English football history.
**Sunderland’s 1990 Promotion: A Case of Defeat Turned into Deliverance**
The Black Cats met Swindon Town in the very first second-tier play-off final ever held at Wembley. Having defeated fierce rivals Newcastle United in the semis, Sunderland looked poised to earn a spot in the First Division. But a 25th-minute strike from Alan McLoughlin was enough to hand Swindon a 1-0 victory and, seemingly, a place in the top flight.
Then came the bombshell.
Swindon were soon found guilty of 35 breaches related to illegal player payments. The initial punishment was relegation to the Third Division, but after an appeal, the EFL ruled that the Robins would instead remain in the Second Division—opening the door for Sunderland to leapfrog them into the First Division despite losing at Wembley.
It remains the only time in play-off history that the defeated finalist has been promoted in place of the victor. That quirky twist of fate makes Sunderland’s class of 1990 unforgettable, if unconventional, success stories.
**Looking Ahead: Sheffield United Aim to Crush Repeat Dreams**
Now, in 2025, Sheffield United stand in the way of another Sunderland ascent—though this time, the Wearsiders will need to win the final outright if they want to return to the Premier League. Le Bris’ side will arrive in London buoyed by their semi-final performance, but facing a Sheffield United team desperate to overcome their own play-off demons.
Chris Wilder has already suffered defeat at the hands of Sunderland earlier this season, and he will no doubt have studied that loss closely as he prepares for this winner-takes-all encounter.
For Sunderland, the path to promotion this time must be walked the hard way. There will be no administrative rescues or courtroom twists—just 90 minutes (or more) to prove they belong back among English football’s elite.
But if history has shown anything, it’s that this club is capable of writing its own unique chapters—even if they sometimes come via the most unexpected routes.
Alious
