World War I was almost over when Sunderland played Newcastle in a charity match in August 1918. However, football did still not really restart until after the Armistice of 11 November. It was too late to recommence national competitions by then, so local "Victory Leagues" were arranged around the country between January and April 1919. Guest players were allowed as many teams had had casualties during the war, and also some of their players were not yet demobbed. Sunderland finished as runners-up to Middlesbrough in the Northern Victory League; they also entered the Durham Senior Cup for the first time in many years, lifting the trophy after a series of emphatic victories.