With the brilliant tom Watson now gone, Wearside wondered what the effect would be; it was disastrous. After losing only 1 home game in 5 seasons they lost 5 at home, only winning 4 Newcastle Road games. They scored only 34 goals home and away.

Bob Campbell, who had been outstandingly successful with the "A" team, took over from Watson. Campbell, along with his brother, the fantastically gifted striker Johnny, had arrived on Wearside in December 1889. In 1895 he has been offered the position of Secretary at Newcastle United, but declined and stayed with Sunderland.

Tommy Dodds had originally been the Sunderland trainer, but after a row with Henderson about player discipline he left and became the Tyneside clubs trainer. Campbell filled the breach.

The season was a nightmare and Sunderland ended up 15th, second bottom. This meant that they therefore had to take part in the end of season "Tests", a bit like today’s playoff system, to remain in the top flight of English football.

The first game was lost 0 v 1 to Notts County, the return drawn at Newcastle Road. Newton Heath (later to become Manchester United) were defeated on Wearside and in the return a 1 v 1 draw was enough for Sunderland to earn second place in the group of 4, and retain their status. It had been close, but we had done it.

Test matches were abandoned after controversy at the end of the 1897/98 season. Automatic relegation and promotion was introduced the following season.

The Team, the most famous and feared in the land, broke up. Only Teddy Doig and Hugh Wilson of the early team stayed. In time Jimmy Millar would return after gaining for representative honours with Scotland whilst with Glasgow Rangers.

Whilst the playoffs had a successful outcome the main question was "what had gone wrong". There were all sorts of reasons put forward. "Injuries", "they got stale", "they were found out". In essence the truth was that Watson’s influence had been greatly underestimated and Liverpool’s gain was Sunderlands loss, a huge blow.

It was a transitional season for Sunderland, but they would emerge strong again. We had to be patient. One of the reasons we came back was the appointment of Billy Williams. He had a reputation as a disciplinarian, but was also fair with his players.

It was clear that a decision had to be made about Sunderlands "home". Newcastle Road was rented from the Thompson sisters and relations were now strained. JP Henderson started to look around, and his decision would have far reaching consequences for perhaps a million people.