Former Mag Steve Howey believes it would be “amazing” if Sunderland could join Newcastle United back in the Premier League in the coming years.
With the Mackems currently top of League One after a superb start to the new season, many on Wearside are hopeful they’ll be one step closer to the top flight this time next year.
After back-to-back relegations and a few disastrous years, ex-NUFC defender Steve Howey believes it would be great for the North-East on number of fronts if Sunderland joined us in the Premier League ASAP.
He admits he gets ‘absolutely battered’ on social media for saying this, but we’ve found a few interesting replies to his latest comments from Newcastle United fans.
Before we get to those, here’s what 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.”
Here’s how Toon fans responded to his controversial claims:
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.
Let,s face it Mike Ashley is in way,Steve Bruce is totally hopeless ,jobs he had getting the sack and walked out.left in a mess.NUFC fans said the same we did heading towards the road to ruin.Hate to say it Sunderland fans are not the blame,within in the club we do deserve to be down third tier of football for 4 years.I do not think any good manager will work for parasite,untill NUFC as a club reach it,s point of crisis.then you start again,as we did with a new young owner right now,noy spending on wrong players.
Lee Freeman(Quote)
Let,s face it Mike Ashley is in way,Steve Bruce is totally hopeless ,jobs he had getting the sack and walked out.left in a mess.NUFC fans said the same we did heading towards the road to ruin.Hate to say it Sunderland fans are not the blame,within in the club we do deserve to be down third tier of football for 4 years.I do not think any good manager will work for parasite,untill NUFC as a club reach it,s point of crisis.then you start again,as we did with a new young owner right now,not spending on wrong players.
Lee Freeman(Quote)
He confesses that he gets totally pummeled on social media for stating this, but we’ve unearthed a few fascinating responses to his most recent comments from Newcastle United supporters.
io games(Quote)
Many people on Wearside are optimistic that the Mackems will have made progress toward the premier division by this time in the following year since they are presently in first place in League One after an outstanding beginning to the current campaign.
roller baller(Quote)
Since the Mackems are in first position in League One after a strong start, many Wearsiders are confident that they will have reached the Premier League by this time next year.
drift hunters(Quote)
Bring back the banter! North East derbies are what make football exciting. Imagine the buzz if both Sunderland and Newcastle are back in the Premier League. Let the banter begin
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