Sunderland are not only aiming for promotion back to the Championship this season, but they also want to break records on their way.

The Black Cats head into their opening League One clash with Charlton Athletic this Saturday with the club announcing they hope to break the record in the division for average attendance over a campaign.

At present, 21,950 season tickets have been sold as the club look to put two successive relegations behind them.

That figure is already a League One record and the club are looking to break a long-standing 20-year record, also.

Currently, the record for an average attendance across a season is 28,261, that was set by Manchester City back in 1998.

Sunderland could be off to a decent start as the club have revealed they have already sold over 26,000 tickets for the clash with the Addicks at the Stadium of Light.

The club’s executive director Charlie Methven said: “We have set a target to beat Man City’s record and become the best supported third-tier side in modern football history.

"Doing so will send out a clear message that we are Sunderland, we are proud of who we are and that despite the challenges of recent seasons, the club has its chest out again.”

The Verdict

Sunderland shouldn’t concern themselves with breaking attendance records, and they should focus their efforts on the pitch.

The club are rebuilding their squad after two successive relegations.

New manager Jack Ross has signed ten players this summer to aid in the club’s regeneration on the pitch as they look to cast away the past two years of turmoil.

If the records come, then that is a bonus, success on the football pitch should be paramount for the club this season.

If they do well on the pitch, the supports will follow - it goes hand in hand, so Sunderland need to get it right on the grass first and foremost before contemplating becoming record-breakers.