Tyne-Wear derby day drama warning

Jan 31 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

THE region is gearing up for one of the most significant Tyne-Wear derbies in decades.

Sunderland will travel to St James’s Park to play Newcastle United tomorrow, with just three points separating the clubs in the league table.

The fixture has extra significance given the recent turmoil at United, which has seen stars like Michael Owen and Joey Barton ruled out through injury, Shay Given on the brink of leaving and midfielder Charles N’Zogbia refusing to play for boss Joe Kinnear again.

Trouble flared after the last two derbies and police last night warned supporters of both sides to be on their best behaviour or face stiff action.

Chief Supt Neil MacKay, of Northumbria Police’s operations unit, said: “The overwhelming majority of fans are well behaved and want nothing more than to attend this exciting family event, free from the fear of disorder, violence or crime.

“Those fans attending football matches with the intent of causing disorder are attending for entirely the wrong reasons. True fans, whose first priority is the game itself, should continue to work alongside us to make football a safe and secure event for all concerned.

“I would warn anyone considering causing trouble on the day that we will take action to ensure that they are arrested and brought before the courts for their selfish actions.”

After the last St James’s Park fixture, a Magpies mob went on the rampage, hurling abuse at rival fans and pushing against the police cordon. That has led to a string of football banning orders being issued and one man – Raymond Etchells, 34, of Dunston, Gateshead – jailed for three months and banned for six years after using a wheelie bin as a battering ram.

There was also disorder after this season’s game at the Stadium of Light, which saw Sunderland triumph 2-1. Fans fought on the pitch, a firework was thrown at a police horse and a British Transport Police officer had his wrist broken while controlling travelling United supporters.

After a post match inquiry into that game, 35 people were arrested. Three were released with no further action, three have been cautioned and 29 people were charged for a variety of offences including public order offences, pitch encroachment, criminal damage and assault.

Chief Supt MacKay said: “These arrests demonstrate our continuing commitment to preventing disorder at football matches and spoiling these events for true football fans.” Supporters’ groups also urged calm. Neil Warren, from the Billingham branch of Sunderland supporters’ club, said: “I think we will beat Newcastle. Sunderland is doing all right at the moment. Hopefully there will be no trouble on the day as I think the police will have it all sorted. They know what is going on and they do a canny job.”

Michael Ord, a spokesman for the Newcastle United Supporters’ Club, said: “I think most Newcastle fans including myself are extremely nervous about it but we should be filled with hope. I think that the important thing is to get behind the team and try and be an extra man on the pitch for them.

“But I think we have not won for some time and Sunderland are on the back of a win in the last game and we have a very very thin squad with a lot of injuries. It also is hard with all the problems the club has had. Nobody does their best when the future is uncertain. I really hope there is going to be no trouble on the day.”

Sunderland fans are also being advised to use the free buses being laid on by the club. The coaches will meet up at the Stadium of Light between 10.30-11am, after which they will be escorted to Newcastle in good time for kick off at 1.30pm.