 Having been promoted weeks after the end of the previous season and not being granted an increased wage budget , Smith felt he had a tough job in keeping Sunderland in the top @-@ flight in 1990 – 91 . He allowed Gates and MacPhail to leave on free transfers in order to free up money to bring in new players . He spent £ 350 @,@ 000 on Portsmouth defender Kevin Ball and took midfielder Peter Davenport from rivals Middlesbrough ; Ball would prove to be a success , though Smith admitted in his autobiography that signing Davenport had been a mistake that left him unable to bring in any further players , as his small budget was spent . He was given further funds in February 1991 as Sunderland were engaged in a relegation battle , and Smith spent £ 225 @,@ 000 on midfielder Brian Mooney , who had a limited impact due to injuries . On the final day of the season Sunderland had to better Luton Town 's result at home to Derby in their game against Manchester City at Maine Road , but they lost 3 – 2 and were relegated back into the Second Division . 
