We didn’t know it at the time but Robert Kyle’s sticky patch was over. We would end the campaign in 3rd place and lay the foundations for another assault on the championship and in time the FA cup. The McCombie affair was now far behind us. We would now make some crucial signings. Scotland’s centre half Charlie Thomson was recruited from Heart of Midlothian, Jackie Mordue came the long route, from Woolwich Arsenal, having been born just outside of Chester Le Street and Arthur Brown arrived from Bramall Lane. He had been capped by England when just 18.

Thomson had cited the reason for his move as the weakening performance of the Hearts side. This had been affecting his form, and it was in everyone’s interests that he left for pastures new. Sunderland were glad of him. The supporters must have wondered whether the campaign was to end in disaster, because it certainly started that way.

The opening day witnessed a defeat by Manchester city, albeit narrowly 0 v 1 and some 4 days later bury trounced us 2 v 4 at Gigg Lane. Things got better and 2 consecutive victories, away at Middlesbrough and home to Sheffield United meant we were up and running. A reverse at Aston villa was followed up by 2 consecutive home successes against forest and Sheffield Wednesday. This trend of back to back victories and defeats would continue right throughout the season, but fortunately the credits outweighed the debits of you get my drift. Consistency was not the name of the game and the main reason why we ended up 3rd instead of champions.

Talking of champions, well that distinction would go to Newcastle United, but not before they were on the receiving end of a record hiding 1 v 9 that still stands today, their opponents, Sunderland.

Sunderland continued in good form in the league, although typically after thrashing The Magpies they succumbed to "lowly" Bristol city at Roker Park in the very next game. As we know the English cup was now "the holy grail" and for a time it looked as though we may prosper.The first round saw us dismiss Sheffield United 3 v 2 at Bramall Lane. Interestingly the programme for the game gave the weights of the Sunderland players. Bearing in mind the comparative "tale of the tape" nowadays, the current crop seems very petite in comparison:

By this time Teddy Doig was playing for St Helens in the Lancashire combination League, and doing very well for them. Another Sunderland old boy Bonthron, the ex fullback, was having a fine season with Northampton Town, who headed the Southern League.Next we again were on our travels, this time to Deepdale where Preston north end were dumped 2 v 1. A 3rd away ties, this time at Valley Parade witnessed a 1 v 0 triumph over Bradford city, before fate conspired against us.

We drew Newcastle United in the 4rth round and in front of 53,000 at St James Park, the gates were closed at 2pm, the match kicked off in driving sleet, it was bitterly cold.

Newcastle took the lead, Mordue cut short the celebrations. Brown then gave Sunderland a 2 v 1 advantage, the Magpies levelled things, and so it finished 2 v 2.

The crowd for the match had started gathering at 10am, with everyone determined to see the match from the vantage of the "sixpenny end". By 12pm the entire thoroughfare was swamped with good natured people. Newspaper reports of the day indicate that 2 Newcastle United players actually collapsed with exhaustion during the game, a match which incidentally is still regarded as perhaps the finest ever seen at the famous St James Park arena.

So the replay would be at Roker Park, 4 days later, and as if to exact revenge the Magpies continued there assault on the league and cup double with a 0 v 3 defeat of the red and whites. I guess some consolation for the 5 December humiliation. In fairness the Magpies were brilliant, all over the pitch, and having taken the lead the turning point of the match came when the Newcastle goalkeeper Lawrence saved a penalty from George Holley. Shepherd rubbed salt in red and white wounds with 2 brilliant goals late on in the game.

The Wearside game had some notable talking points. First of all admission to both the Roker & Fulwell ends was doubled to one shilling, the latter having its gates crashed in, with people trampled on in an effort to get in. the capacity of the Sunderland stadium at that time was roughly half of their Tyneside neighbours and an official attendance of some 27,493 paid receipts of some £4,500. After that Sunderland played out the season with some vigour but a notable hammering 1 v 8 by Blackburn rovers at Ewood Park dented morale

As if to emphasise a topsy turvy season with Newcastle United we performed a league double over them, winning 3 v 1 at Roker Park on 10 April. Kyle took Sunderland to Belfast to play his former team distillery in a friendly match on 13 April, prior to the final 2 league games of the season. We best both Bristol City and Preston north end to finish the season in some style. Sunderlands season had in effect lasted 9 months - 1 September 1908 to 1 June 1909. The players must have been shattered.

The annual report and balance sheet was discussed at a meeting in the Queens Hotel on Wednesday 30 June, and was read by the Sunderland AFC chairman FW Taylor. "Your directors are pleased to report a satisfactory year, this in spite of heavy and unavoidable expenses to leave a credit balance of £705/3/3 in the revenue account.

The receipts for league matches are understandably lower than last year which is attritbutable to unparalleled local depression in trade. The English cup ties nullified this loss in addition to enabling us to meet the extraordinary expense of refurbishing the ground, renovating the stands, transfer of players.

The result of the league team play was very satisfactory as they finished third in the league tournament. They also fought there way to the fourth round of the English cup having to play away from home on every occasion only failing to Newcastle in a  replay, whish owing to injuries the full team strength was not available".

Messrs R Murray and F foster retired from the Board in accordance with the company’s articles and they were replaced by Mr J Lynn Marr and Mr R Norm. The Revenue Account for the financial year to 30 April showed that match expenditure had amounted to £7,673 with receipts from home league games of £7,698. The clubs bankers were revealed for the first time North East Banking company Limited.