SAFCmal
Central Defender
Amidst all of the talk of passion without the poison it is important to remember that, despite everything the Tyne-Wear derby is very much a case of good versus evil.
Sunderland are a traditional Northern football club with all of the cloth cap and bovril history that means a genuine connection with an established fan base. The open connection with the industrial tradition of the region ranges from the pit-lamp roundabout to the shipbuilding motif on a former club crest.
Whilst naturally caught up in the commercialism of the modern game it is worth noting that it was a former Sunderland player who was the first to donate the proceeds of his testimonial to charity, something that many others have followed. Just an example, but a clear indication of dignity and perhaps class.
Now Newcastle; here is a team who are owned by an individual who uses it to promote his organisation who exploit the nation's young with zero-hour contracts as they peddle goods produced in Asian sweatshops.
A team who are sponsored by so-called 'pay day lenders' who will delight in the upturn in business at this time of year as desperate people take out unmanagable loans which will have a long term devastating effect on their lives.
Historically, Newcastle have a long history of undignified and immoral behaviour. Whether it's a Manager spitting vile obscenities at his colleagues in the opposing dugout or Directors delighting in calling female supporters 'dogs'. Whether it's supporting players who have fought each other or assaulted others or whether it's the continued distruction of their own town in times of adversity- Newcastle are the epitome of all that is wrong in the modern game.
The Tyne-Wear derby is a drama, and like all drama from Shakespeare to Pantomime, the theme is the conflict between good and evil.
Be assured- if by reason of birthright, personal choice or even accident you support Sunderland then you have the moral highground. Whatever the result of any football match, you are a force of good - they are evil.
Sunderland are a traditional Northern football club with all of the cloth cap and bovril history that means a genuine connection with an established fan base. The open connection with the industrial tradition of the region ranges from the pit-lamp roundabout to the shipbuilding motif on a former club crest.
Whilst naturally caught up in the commercialism of the modern game it is worth noting that it was a former Sunderland player who was the first to donate the proceeds of his testimonial to charity, something that many others have followed. Just an example, but a clear indication of dignity and perhaps class.
Now Newcastle; here is a team who are owned by an individual who uses it to promote his organisation who exploit the nation's young with zero-hour contracts as they peddle goods produced in Asian sweatshops.
A team who are sponsored by so-called 'pay day lenders' who will delight in the upturn in business at this time of year as desperate people take out unmanagable loans which will have a long term devastating effect on their lives.
Historically, Newcastle have a long history of undignified and immoral behaviour. Whether it's a Manager spitting vile obscenities at his colleagues in the opposing dugout or Directors delighting in calling female supporters 'dogs'. Whether it's supporting players who have fought each other or assaulted others or whether it's the continued distruction of their own town in times of adversity- Newcastle are the epitome of all that is wrong in the modern game.
The Tyne-Wear derby is a drama, and like all drama from Shakespeare to Pantomime, the theme is the conflict between good and evil.
Be assured- if by reason of birthright, personal choice or even accident you support Sunderland then you have the moral highground. Whatever the result of any football match, you are a force of good - they are evil.