Sunderland were invited to take part in the inaugural United Soccer Association League, with 12 top-flight clubs, mostly from the British Isles, representing 12 North American cities. But the Roker men would not play as SAFC. Instead, they were known as Vancouver Royal Canadians. Here is the Sunderland squad in 1967.placeholder image
Sunderland were invited to take part in the inaugural United Soccer Association League, with 12 top-flight clubs, mostly from the British Isles, representing 12 North American cities. But the Roker men would not play as SAFC. Instead, they were known as Vancouver Royal Canadians. Here is the Sunderland squad in 1967. | se

I couldn't believe it but it's true! SAFC's entire team played under a different name in a different country

By Chris Cordner

Digital specialist in nostalgia

Published 5th Jan 2026, 18:00 GMT

Here’s a tricky quiz teaser for you.

Tell us about the time when Sunderland played 12 games in a tournament which wasn’t in England - and the Wearsiders did not play as the Black Cats.

It was a strange event in 1967 when Sunderland played under the name of the Vancouver Royal Canadians in a new league.

Stars such as Billy Hughes, George Herd, Jim Baxter, Jimmy Montgomery, and George Kinnell all starred - and here’s a photo gallery to explain more about the intriguing competition.

Billy Hughes and Jimmy Montgomery pictured in Sunderland. Jimmy was flown out to play for the team when Derek Forster was injured but the Black Cats went on a run of four defeats.

9. Ready to go

Billy Hughes and Jimmy Montgomery pictured in Sunderland. Jimmy was flown out to play for the team when Derek Forster was injured but the Black Cats went on a run of four defeats. | se

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Jim Baxter was in inspired form in the Sunderland side's last match and led the team to a 3-1 win against Stoke (playing as Cleveland Stokers). However, Sunderland's bad run meant they only finished fifth in their Western Division, won by Wolves. Wolves won the grand final, beating Aberdeen 6-5 after extra time in the showdown between the two divisional winners.

10. Baxter was inspired

Jim Baxter was in inspired form in the Sunderland side's last match and led the team to a 3-1 win against Stoke (playing as Cleveland Stokers). However, Sunderland's bad run meant they only finished fifth in their Western Division, won by Wolves. Wolves won the grand final, beating Aberdeen 6-5 after extra time in the showdown between the two divisional winners. | Getty Images Photo: Norman Quicke

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Then it was back to the UK and training for the new domestic season with Jimmy Montgomery leading the way.

11. Back in the UK

Then it was back to the UK and training for the new domestic season with Jimmy Montgomery leading the way. | se

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