What If?

Sunderland AFC’s official historian Rob Mason brings us a fascinating alternative history of the club as he ponders what could have been. Clough, Stein and Robson as managers; Maradona, Milburn, Keegan, Van Nistelrooy and Ibrahimovic as forwards – plus Coventry kicking off on time – are intriguing possibilities.

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Sunderland AFC’s official historian Rob Mason brings us a fascinating alternative history of the club as he ponders what could have been.


How would Sunderland have fared if they had appointed Brian Clough, who was turned down as manager? What might have happened if Jock Stein, who visited managerless Sunderland hoping for an opportunity before taking over at Celtic, had been given a chance? What if Bobby Robson hadn’t changed his mind after agreeing to leave Ipswich?


Diego Maradona, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kevin Keegan, Jackie Milburn and Ruud van Nistelrooy would make some forward line. All of them were potential signings. Imagine that quintet in red and white stripes!


What if Coventry City had kicked off on time against Bristol City in 1977 instead of delaying their kick-off and being able to relegate a youthful Sunderland side that had come back from the dead?


These and many other key moments are discussed by Mason as he considers what could have happened had these turning points taken a different direction.