But how have former winners of the competition fared when it comes to gaining promotion?Not very well, it appears.
Of the last 11 winners of the tournament, only a select few have gone on to achieve promotion in the same season that they won the silverware - with the likes of Portsmouth and Southampton succumbing to this Wembley hoodoo.
The Black Cats will be looking to avoid that this season as they target a spot in the top two and a return to the second tier.
We take a look at where former winners of the competition have finished in their respective leagues immediately after lifting the trophy - and it’s fair to say the results are varied.
Let’s hope that Sunderland are more of a Bristol City than a Coventry City!
The Black Cats will be looking to avoid that this season as they target a spot in the top two and a return to the second tier.