Manchester United fullback Danny Simpson has courted controversy after taunting Sunderland.
Simpson, on-loan at Newcastle United, has also turned out for their Northeast rivals and scoffed: “I prefer to be in black and white than red and white."
“On the way up here a lot of people warned me about what was going on behind the scenes, but I have not noticed it.
“Someone mentioned Sunderland had 41,000 against Chelsea – and we got 43,000 against Sheffield Wednesday.
“That just shows the passion the fans have for the club – it speaks volumes.
“We have more fans than them coming to Championship games.
“I am just glad to be here. Sunderland is behind me now – that was years ago. I am just looking forward to doing the same at Newcastle and getting into the Premier League.”
He added to the Evening Chronicle: “It is right up there. I have played at Old Trafford, but I think it was louder here.
“The fans are incredible here. Even though it was only 43,000, it felt like it was full.
“I enjoyed it, and it was a nice feeling when the whistle went and we had won.”