Ex-Newcastle player Steve Howey makes a controversial Sunderland claim provoking a response from fans of his former club recently.
With the Mackems currently top of League One after a superb start to the new season, many on Wearside are hopeful this will finally be the season that they can leave the third tier English football and go one step closer to the top flight.
After back-to-back relegations and a few disastrous years, the ex-Magpies defender Steve Howey reckons it would be great for the North-East on number of fronts if Sunderland joined their rivals in the Premier League as soon as possible.
He admits he gets ‘absolutely battered’ on social media for saying this, but it’s fair to say there are a few interesting replies to his latest comments from Newcastle United fans.
He told Transfer Tavern: “It’s been a good few years of just complete and utter misery for a Sunderland fan.
“Newcastle fans love that and I’ve always said, I got absolutely battered on social media because I said, ‘why do Newcastle fans love it when Sunderland struggle’?
“I can understand the rivalry, I get that completely, but I just think for the economy, for the area, it would be amazing if we had the two of them in the Premier League.”
As mentioned, the ex-Newcastle player makes a controversial Sunderland claim which is provoking a response from fans…
Who cares where the mackems are 😂 the odd jip towards them is fair enough as I 💯 guarantee they’d be all over it if the tables were turned.
— Jamessss (@Jaaaaaaamezzzz) September 7, 2021
@neilTheMagpie: It’s this, ‘I just like to see all the North East teams do well’ mentality I don’t understand. They hate us. We hate them and we both wallow in each others misery. That’s the way it’s always been & the way it should always remain.
@alancathyrogers: He wasn’t spouting that shite when he was in the Nines bar first game of the season.
@ghw1970_george: If it was the other way round the makems would give us plenty stick. Let’s face it they are obsessed with #nufc
@FrankieeD9: Do Everton fans like to see Liverpool succeed? No. Do Liverpool fans laugh at Everton when they struggle yes they do but there’s also fans from both clubs who likes to see the city / area do well. It’s just how it is. Arsenal/Chelsea/Spurs dislike each other. Each to their own.
@Tonyc1234: Steve Howey really isn’t the brightest he’s a Mackem his family are all from Sunderland so he’s going to love Sunderland in the PL. Good Centre half but thick as mince!
@Clark5Nick: It’s fair enough from Steve. A nice lad. With a foot in both camps. Let’s have it right though, the rest of us fucking hate each other. And I’m good with that
@hawaythalad: Most fans on both sides (with at least a few brain cells) would want them both in the prem. Great for the area and the best derby going. Miss them. Although #SAFC have defo had the better of us of late! Arguably a better club atm, hopefully we don’t have to wave past them 😔
@_GB92: I miss derby day loads best game of the year by far. But fuck 5under1and
@fans_toon: What a load of rubbish @stevehowey624 – they’d have a public holiday on wearside if roles were reversed. I for one, absolutely love where they are! 😂 #nufc
@Kerr63M: Steve has definitely suffered the effects of heading a ball too often.
OTHER FANS CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR SAY:
“It would be good, but it would also be good if we had a team worthy of the majority of the fans. Would be good to have Boro in the PL too. However, we’re all likely to meet up in the Championship next season first!”
“It’s this, ‘I just like to see all the North East teams do well’ mentality I don’t understand. They hate us. We hate them and we both wallow in each others misery. That’s the way it’s always been and the way it should always remain.”
“Derbies are what football is all about. Watching the Mackems struggle is great, but I prefer beating them.”
“I’d always prefer north east teams in the premier league than another one from London. I’d love Sunderland to finish 17th in the PL every year.”
“As a toon fan I would love to see Sunderland and Middlesbrough fans back up. Nothing better than a derby game. It would be great for the North East.”
“It’s fair enough from Steve. A nice lad. With a foot in both camps. Let’s have it right though, the rest of us ****** hate each other. And I’m good with that.”
“Most fans on both sides (with at least a few brain cells) would want them both in the prem. Great for the area and the best derby going. Miss them. Although #SAFC have defo had the better of us of late! Arguably a better club at the minute, hopefully we don’t have to wave past them.”
“I miss derby day loads best game of the year by far. But stuff 5under1and.”
“Let’s face it, we have very little to look forward to each season when it’s all about merely surviving. I say bring back the derbies. I like a Premier League with Sunderland in it – providing we beat them twice a season and finish higher!”
“I hate Sunderland. They mocked us when we went down and love to see us struggle, but this ‘rivalry’ will soon die out if we don’t play them for another decade or two. A win on derby day is priceless. I miss them, to be honest.”
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