IF you’re going to finally end one hoodoo, you might as well go the whole hog and banish two in the same season. Winning at Wembley for the first time since 1973 was a magical moment for Sunderland, even if March’s Papa John’s Trophy success over Tranmere Rovers took place in the absence of fans. Victory in the play-offs, however, would represent an even more notable triumph. For far too long, the annual end-of-season shootout has caused the Black Cats nothing but pain.

The club’s first play-off experience came in 1987, when the competition’s format was markedly different to today’s. Back then, Sunderland’s 20th-place finish in the Second Division meant they were thrust into a promotion/relegation play-off with the teams that had finished in third, fourth and fifth positions in Division Three.

Sunderland were paired with Gillingham in the semi-finals, and after suffering a 3-2 defeat at Priestfield Stadium, with Tony Cascarino scoring a hat-trick, the Wearsiders lost on away goals as they won 4-3 at Roker Park after a period of extra-time. Gillingham went on to lose to Swindon in a replay in the play-off final.

Three years later, and Sunderland were back in the play-offs trying to win promotion to the top-flight. A memorable semi-final win over Newcastle sent Denis Smith’s side to Wembley, but although Sunderland ended up securing a place in the First Division, their elevation had nothing to do with their performance on the field as they lost 1-0 to Swindon. Instead, it was the Robins’ financial irregularities that led to their opponents in the play-off final being promoted.

Fast forward to 1998, and Sunderland were back at Wembley taking on Charlton Athletic in a game that remains one of the all-time great play-off showdowns. Clive Mendonca, Michael Gray, penalties, heartbreak. It was an afternoon that perfectly encapsulated Sunderland’s play-off fate.

At least, on that occasion, there was a Wembley trip to get excited about. In 2004, Sunderland’s play-off campaign ended in the semi-finals, although again it was penalties that decided their fate. Sunderland were all-but in the final until Darren Powell’s 90th-minute goal for Crystal Palace levelled things at 4-4 on aggregate, and with John Oster, Jason McAteer and Jeff Whitely missing from the spot, the Black Cats were beaten 5-4 on penalties. Palace went on to beat West Ham United in an all-London final.

That was that until 2019, when Jack Ross’ Sunderland side found themselves finishing in the play-offs as they attempted to get out of League One.

They were paired with Portsmouth in the semi-finals, and after Chris Maguire’s strike settled a tense first leg on Wearside, Sunderland produced a superb rearguard action to claim a goalless draw at Fratton Park.

Their reward was another final with Charlton, but while fate finally seemed to be smiling on them when Naby Sarr’s fifth-minute own goal handed them an early lead, they were unable to build on their advantage.

Lyle Taylor equalised as Charlton fought their way back into the game, and just as extra-time was looking inevitable, Patrick Bauer scrambled home from close range after his initial header had been blocked on the line to send the Addicks into the Championship and inflict yet more misery on Sunderland’s long-suffering supporters.

All of which brings us to tomorrow, and the start of Sunderland’s sixth play-off campaign at Lincoln. The club’s five previous efforts have ended in defeat, but as March’s Papa John’s success proves, the history books are there to be rewritten.