Sunderland Albion F.C.

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Sunderland Albion Football Club were an English football team formed in 1888 as a rival to Sunderland A.F.C..

Sunderland Albion were formed by some members of Sunderland who did not like the commercial direction the club was taking. The two clubs were fierce rivals - when they were drawn together in the 1888-89 FA Cup, Sunderland withdrew rather than allow Albion to benefit from the increased gate receipts.

Albion were founder members of the Football Alliance in 1889, but when Sunderland joined The Football League in 1890, Albion's crowds began to suffer. To try and gain extra support, Albion joined the Northern League as well, playing in both leagues in the 1890-91 season before concentrating on the latter. However, when Sunderland won the League title in 1892, Albion decided to call it a day.