For Sharks fans, 51 years is comparable with the most tormented sports franchises around the world - especially since they picked up the wooden spoon this year and have had to deal with the ASADA case.
Top five sporting droughts:
1 - Somerset Cricket Club - 123 years
Somerset have never won the English County Championship, in which they have competed since 1891. 2430 matches - nearly 10,000 days of cricket - all amounting to nothing. They have won limited overs titles during that time (who can forget the Benson & Hedges Cup repeat in 1982?) but the closest they have come to a title in the four-day competition is three second-placings - the last being in 2012. During the 123-year drought they have amassed 12 wooden spoons, the second most behind Derbyshire.
Chances of breaking drought soon: Similar to a Kevin Pietersen test recall.
Finished second two years ago but could only manage a sixth placing out of the nine teams in division one the season just finished. Also finished sixth the previous season. A look through the squad doesn't really bring up 'big names' with 38-year-old Marcus Trescothick, the club captain, and dumped test opener Nick Compton as the only notables.
2 - Chicago Cubs - 106 years
Forget the Curse of the Billy Goat or the Steve Bartman interference - the Chicago Cubs haven't won a title since 1908 because they just haven't been a very good team. Not one trip to the World Series in the last 69 years and only five division titles since 1984.
Chances of breaking drought soon: Within the next 106 years? Sure.
Cubbies fans had high hopes when Theo Epstein joined the club as President of Baseball Operations after helping the Red Sox break an 86-year long drought as general manager. But they finished bottom of the National League's Central division this season with a 73-89 record - which is an improvement at least on last year's 66-96 record. Have been in bottom two of their division the last five seasons.
3 - Cleveland Indians - 65 years
You've got to feel for the city of Cleveland - 49 years since a title from either the Indians, Browns or Cavaliers (though LeBron and co will be looking to change that this upcoming NBA season).
Only two only baseball clubs join the Cubs and Indians with a 50-year plus drought - the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros who are both yet to win a World Series since their debut seasons in 1961 and 1962 respectively. The Indians have been there or there-abouts in the playoff race in last two seasons - losing the wildcard game last year.
Chances of breaking drought soon: Better than Major League 4's Oscar hopes
Fellow perennial AL Central division strugglers Kansas City just advanced to the American League Championship after reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1985 so there is hope. The Indians have some young talent in outfielder Michael Brantley, pitcher Corey Kluber and catcher Yan Gomes which helps make them a playoff-calibre team - a World Series winning team...probably not.
4) Western Bulldogs - 60 years
The Western Bulldogs last won a title in 1954, when cricket great Richie Benaud was also playing at the MCG, and have reached the grand final just once since...seven years later in 1961. A name change from Footscray to the Western Bulldogs in 1996 didn't help stop the drought. The club did win the pre-season cup in 2010 - not exactly worthy of a parade though.
Chances of breaking drought soon: Slightly better than Cronulla's
14th, 15th, 15th and 10th is where they have finished the last four seasons after three straight playoff appearances. The newly established Footscray team, a feeder team for the Bulldogs, has proven successful in the Victorian Football League with the side winning the title this year. Success breeds success right?
5) England football - 48 years
'Two World Wars and one World Cup'. It's been a long 48 years for English football fans since their last major title in 1966 and will be 50 years by the time they get another shot - if the side qualifies for the 2016 European Championships. After failing to get out of the group at this year's World Cup they finished ranked 26th out of the 32 teams. Sure Germany's World War drought continues but they have won six major titles (three World Cups and three Euros) since that 1966 final defeat.
Chances of breaking drought soon: WW3 > Another England football trophy
The Euros is obviously their best shot at another title but they have only reached the semifinals twice since 1966, one of those occasions being 1968. With Wembley Stadium hosting the 2020 European final maybe that will be the perfect time for England to end the drought. But the best chance to end the drought is to convince people that the Rous Cup is a major title - they won it three times in the 80s.
Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated the Raiders have the longest streak since winning an NRL title. Thanks to the many long suffering Eels fans who pointed that mistake out.
