Newcastle fork out six-figure sum on fan buses to avoid Sunderland crowd trouble
A huge security operation involving a convoy of 120 buses will be launched for the Wear-Tyne derby - with Eddie Howe and a police leader urging calm.
Newcastle were allowed 6,000 tickets for the North East derby in Sunderland if they agreed to it becoming a “bubble match”, where fans have no chance of meeting. Trouble has flared at the most recent derbies including a police horse being punched.
Howe said: "We want to keep everyone safe. We want them to enjoy the game and enjoy what they see on the pitch, but I don't want to see any trouble or any injuries anywhere from either side. Everyone has to look after themselves and make sure they behave in the right way.”
The bubble match has caused debate over freedom of fans, who will only get their tickets when they get off the bus at the stadium gates. Labour Police and Crime Commissioner, and mayoral candidate, Kim McGuinness, who launched an anti-knife crime initiative at the Stadium of Light on Friday said: “It’s a chance for North East fans to show the best of the region, and demonstrate to the world the traditions and love we have for our clubs and where we live.
“I want both sets of fans to enjoy the renewed Wear Tyne football rivalry with its passion and intensity. As PCC and if elected (North East) Mayor I will represent both cities.
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"And apart from the stripes on our strips, we share much more in common, politically, historically and socially for the football rivalry not to spill over into trouble. May the best team win, and both clubs go on to even greater things.”
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Newcastle's owners are forking out a six-figure bill to bus their fans to the Stadium of Light (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “It is a friendly rivalry no different from any other city. There people work cheek by jowl. Violence, if it occurs, is done by idiots, and they should be arrested, not demonising people going for a day out.”
According to iNews, Newcastle will foot a £150,000 bill to bus their supporters to the Stadium of Light. The sum will cover the 120 coaches that are needed to ferry all of their fans over to Sunderland.
That figure is part of the agreement between the two clubs, the local police and safety groups which guaranteed the Magpies their allocation. It is a significant operation for the Toon, with fans needing to be at St James' Park at least two hours before kick-off.
The 120 coaches will then make the 13-mile trip to their bitter rivals for the 12.30pm kick-off. Police have instructed fans not to use public transport, with away fans only given their tickets when they arrive at the Stadium of Light.
It is reported that Newcastle's owners were prepared to meet the costs of making Saturday's derby a bubble game to ensure their fans were given as large an allocation as possible.
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