A nailing-biting 3-3 draw was played out in normal time before Michael Gray’s penalty miss cruelly dealt the Black Cats a 7-6 defeat on penalties.
It has been labelled as one of the greatest finals in play-offs history, so scroll and click through as find out where each SAFC player to appear that day is now:
. 25 May 1998: Michael Gray of Sunderland is consoled by his team mates after the Nationwide League Division One play-off final against Charlton Athletic at Wembley Stadium in London. The match ended in a 4-4 draw after extra time and Charlton Athletic went on to win 7-6 on penalties. \ Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/Allsport
Shaun Botterill/Allsport | Getty Images Photo: Shaun Botterill
. Lionel Perez
Perez hung up his gloves in 2004 at Stevenage and after a spell as the League Two club’s goalkeeping coach, the 54-year-old moved away from football. | Getty Images Photo: Ben Radford
. Darren Holloway
The Crook-born defender balances his time between being assistant manager at National League North club Darlington and head coach at East Durham College football academy. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele
. Jody Craddock
Craddock has certainly taken one of the more colourful routes since his retirement in 2013 by becoming a professional artist. | Getty Images Photo: Jamie McDonald
. Darren Williams
The 43-year-old tried his hand at management with Northern Premier outfit Whitby Town from 2011 to 2015. During lockdown, he has appeared as a pundit on Football Matters. | Getty Images Photo: Graham Chadwick
. Michael Gray
Gray turned from player to pundit, featuring on the likes of Talksport, BBC, Sky Sports, BeIN Sport and EFL on Quest. | Getty Images Photo: Michael Steele
9. Allan Johnston
Johnston has managed in his native Scotland for eight consecutive years - including current club Queen of the South, Kilmarnock and Dunfermline Athletic. | Getty Images Photo: Shaun Botterill
10. Niall Quinn
A former chairman and manager (briefly) on Wearside. Quinn was previously employed by Sky Sports and now has a number of business interests in native Ireland. | Getty Images Photo: Clive Brunskill
11. Kevin Phillips
Phillips has been on the backroom staff at Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City, though has expressed an interest in management - as SAFC fans know too well. | Getty Images Photo: Phil Cole
12. Chris Makin
Makin retired from professional football in 2008 on medical advice. He stepped away from the sport and is now employed as a property manager in Cheshire. | Getty Images Photo: Alex Livesey