List of Sunderland A.F.C. players

This is a list of notable footballers who have played for Sunderland from when the club turned professional in 1879 to the present. Normally, this means all players that have played 100 or more first-class matches for the club. Although, some players who have played fewer matches are also included. Other players included may have featured in certain records for the club, and general players that have been held in high reguard by the clubs fans.

For a list of all Sunderland players, major or minor, with a Wikipedia article, see Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players, and for the current first-team squad, see Sunderland A.F.C.#Current squad.

Players are listed according to the date of their first-team debut for the club. Appearances are for first-team competitive matches only, including substitute appearances, while wartime and local cup matches are excluded.

Notable players

  Club captains who have won a major senior competition (competitions noted in notes section).

  Players who represented their country while at the club.

  Club record holder.

Name	Nationality	Position	Sunderland A.F.C. career	Captaincy	Appearances	Goals	Notes
Ned Doig	ScotlandScotland	Goalkeeper	1890–1904		417	0
Alf Common	EnglandEngland	Forward	1900–1901 1904–1905		43	12
Charlie Buchan	EnglandEngland	Forward	1911–1925		370	209
Dave Halliday	ScotlandScotland	Forward	1925–1929		175	162
Bobby Gurney	EnglandEngland	Forward	1925–1950		338	228
Raich Carter	EnglandEngland	Inside forward	1932–1939		276	127
Johnny Mapson	EnglandEngland	Goalkeeer	1935–1954		382	0
Willie Watson	EnglandEngland	Defender	1946–1954		223	16
Len Shackleton	EnglandEngland	Midfielder	1948–1957		348	101
Trevor Ford	WalesWales	Forward	1950–1957		117	70