Sunderland look set to start their League One campaign away from the Stadium of Light for the sixth time in nine seasons. The Football League fixtures are not out until June 21, but neighbours Newcastle United have perhaps given a hint as to what is to come by organising a pre-season friendly at St James’ Park for the opening day of the campaign. As usual, the 208-19 Premier League season will start a week later than the Football League programme, and the Magpies have inked in a friendly against Bundesliga side Augsburg at 3pm the previous weekend. Sunderland’s game against Derby County last season was only the third time in the past eight seasons they had kicked off a campaign at home. Until then they had favoured starting with an away match where possible, making it easier for them to hold pop concerts over the summer by giving the pitch an extra week to recover. Jack Ross looks to Sunderland's academy to give him his buzz as he tries to make players better Last year the decision was taken not to hold any concerts, and it has been continued this year. The police generally do not like Newcastle and Sunderland playing on the same day. More clues as to Sunderland’s programme will therefore be forthcoming when the Magpies’ fixture list is revealed on June 14. Despite the Premier League starting later than the Football League, its schedule comes out a week earlier.
