MARTIN BIRTLE’S letter (HAS, Aug 11) regarding Sunderland was incorrect.

The main thrust of his argument, that even Bob Stokoe was unable to get Sunderland back into the first division, is untrue.

In fact, Bob Stokoe won promotion for Sunderland in the 1975-76 season.

I suspect he could have achieved promotion earlier if his best players had stayed with the club instead of leaving not long after the marvellous FA Cup win in 1973.

If the team had stayed together after that who knows what achievements could have been gained?

Martin comes from a sporting family and should have known better.

Keith Dobell, Billingham.