The 2006–07 season was the 112th full season in Sunderland A.F.C.'s history and their 106th in the league system of English football. After recording a record low total of 15 points in the 2005–06 season, Sunderland finished bottom of the league and were relegated to the Football League Championship.
Background
Sunderland began the 2005–06 season with Mick McCarthy as manager, having been promoted as champions the previous season. Before the start of the season, McCarthy recruited Daryl Murphy, Nyron Nosworthy, Jonathan Stead, Kelvin Davis, Tommy Miller, Martin Woods, Alan Stubbs, Joe Murphy and Andy Gray. Their first match back in the Premier League came against Charlton Athletic where they were beaten 3–1. Sunderland's first victory of the season came in the Tees-Wear derby, when goals from Tommy Miller and Julio Arca saw them to a 2–0 victory. After this win, they had to wait until January to record their next victory when they beat West Bromwich Albion.
On 6 March 2006, McCarthy was sacked, and former player Kevin Ball was brought in for the final ten games of the season. In a match against Fulham heavy snow forced the game to be abandoned while Sunderland were 1–0 down. The rearranged fixture was won by Sunderland, as they narrowly avoided being the only club in English League football to not win a home game. They finished the season with 15 points, which was a record low in the top flight until Derby County broke it with 11 points in the 2007–08 season. This also broke their own record low number of points, beating the 19 points they achieved in 2002–03.
Review
Pre-season
Much of the summer had involved rumours of a takeover deal between former player Niall Quinn and a consortium consisting mainly of Irish businessmen. Talks were confirmed between Quinn and the club on 28 April, and a takeover fee of £10,000,000 was later agreed. Just days before the takeover was complete, Quinn himself was appointed manager, with the start of the Championship looming. Quinn and the Drumaville Consortium completed the £10,000,000 takeover for 72.59% of the club's shares on 27 July. The pre-season transfer activity started with five signings for Sunderland and three players being transferred to other clubs. They recruited experienced players Kenny Cunningham, Darren Ward and Robbie Elliott for free transfers. Trevor Carson and Peter Hartley were promoted through the club's youth system. Sunderland allowed Kelvin Davis to join Southampton for £1,250,000, and former fan favourite Julio Arca left to join rivals Middlesbrough.
As Kevin Ball returned into his coaching role at the club, Kevin Richardson took charge of pre-season affairs. Their first pre-season match was against non-league Forest Green Rovers, which Sunderland won 3–0 with goals from Liam Lawrence, Daryl Murphy and Dean Whitehead. This was followed up by a 2–0 win against Rotherham United; Daryl Murphy and Jonathan Stead were the scorers. Murphy continued his pre-season scoring streak with a goal against Irish outfit Shelbourne; Rory Delap scored the other goal in a 2–0 victory. Sunderland finished their pre-season schedule with a 3–0 win over Carlisle United. Jonathan Stead, Liam Lawrence and Grant Leadbitter were the scorers, giving Sunderland an unbeaten pre-season record scoring ten goals, and not conceding any goals.
August
Sunderland's season started against Coventry City on 6 August 2006. They had taken the lead with a goal from Daryl Murphy, but ended up losing the match 2–1. On 8 August, Sunderland signed Clive Clarke from West Ham United for £400,000. Captain George McCartney went the opposite way for £1,000,000 after eight seasons at Sunderland. Sunderland's next game was against Birmingham City on 9 August; they lost the game 1–0. They further bolstered their squad with the signing of Barcelona B player Arnau Riera for a free transfer. Sunderland continued their poor start to the season with a defeat against Plymouth Argyle on 12 August. They initially led the match after a Daryl Murphy goal, but finished up 3–2 losers; Stephen Elliott was the other scorer for Sunderland. They recorded their fourth defeat in as many games against Southend United on 19 August, being beaten 3–1. Jonathan Stead grabbed a consolation goal late on, but Sunderland went to the bottom of the league. On 22 August Sunderland began their League Cup campaign against Bury who were bottom of the Football League; they were beaten 2–0. Arnau Riera was sent off after making his first start for the club. Quinn secured the signings of William Mocquet from Le Havre for an undisclosed fee, and Tobias Hysén from Djurgården for £1,700,000. He also allowed Kevin Kyle to join Coventry City for £600,000.
