SAFC 86 seasons in top flight, HCFC 5
SAFC 30 seasons in second tier, HCFC 57
SAFC 2 seasons in third tier, HCFC 29
SAFC 0 seasons in fourth tier, HCFC 10
SAFC 6 top flight league titles won , HCFC none
SAFC FA Cups won 2, HCFC none
No-one can argue.that decades of playing in top tier (inc 67 consecutive seasons from 1890/1 to 1957/8) generates a bigger support than an underachieving club with no honours and only 5 seasons in the top flight.
Relegation to the third tier is all too familiar territory for us, but for many SAFC fans it's a chance to visit new grounds as their team racks up the wins.
Plus of course there is **** all to do in Sunderland: you have to go to Newcastle for decent shopping, entertainment, ruby etc