Sunderland have apologised to their supporters after an ostensibly friendly, yet incredibly naive, gesture on the part of club officials before Saturday’s Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle at the Stadium of Light backfired spectacularly.
Around 700 of the 6,000 strong contingent of travelling supporters have paid £600 a head to purchase special hospitality tickets in the Black Cats suite which comes equipped with a bar. In an attempt to welcome them – or possibly reduce the prospect of any vandalism – the normally red and white themed suite was specially redecorated with black and white banners and signage emblazoned with slogans including “We are United”. Bizarrely, “Cheer up Peter Reid” a reference to the Newcastle fans’ once favourite ditty about the former Sunderland manager, also featured.
