But that didn’t stop Black Cats supporters turning out in their thousands across the streets of the city to welcome their heroes back to Sunderland!
Here, we’ve delved into the Echo archives to bring you the best photos of Sunderland fans from that day in 1992 – simply scroll down and click through the pages to take a look.
13. The bus from the 1992 homecoming parade
Sunderland lost to Liverpool in the FA Cup final. Photo: Sunderland Echo
14. 1992
Sunderland AFC arrive home from Wembley. Photo: Sunderland Echo
15. What a photo!
Spot anybody you know in the crowd? Photo: Sunderland Echo
16. At the top of Vine Place in the city centre
An incredible spectacle Photo: Sunderland Echo