In theory, Eddie Howe was safe when he rang the bell.
To thunderous applause in the center of the city, the Newcastle United head coach had just started the 2023 Great North Run.
However, he had failed to take into consideration the runners who supported Sunderland and were not overly excited to see him as they raced by.
“The biggest stick I’ve ever had,” he declared this week. “I got abused by 50% of the people there.”
This is not a rivalry between cities. In the previous fifty years, these neighbors from the Northeast have only shared one significant domestic title, and Sunday’s match (14:00 GMT) will be their first Premier League encounter in almost ten years.
However, as former Sunderland manager Peter Reid is well aware, few games cause a region to come to a complete halt like the Tyne-Wear derby.
“They’re football crackers,” he remarked. “Let’s just say there is a little bit more needle up there.”
Before the match at the Stadium of Light, a different Liverpudlian feels the same way.
The intensity of the rivalry is comparable to the Old Firm in Scotland, according to Ryan Taylor, the last player to score a winning goal for Newcastle against Sunderland in the top flight back in 2011.
“There is a hell of a lot more passion in this derby compared to the Manchester derby and, even the Merseyside derby,” the former defender stated. “There’s just raw emotion.”
The This is Wearside supporters organization began organizing their largest-ever flag display for the derby after Sunderland earned promotion through the play-offs in May, in part because of this fervor.
In recent weeks, committed volunteers have been planning the massive operation for up to 12 hours every day.
That is the significance of this game.
“It’s going to be like two worlds colliding,” co-founder Daniel Stokell remarked.
“The season’s two most important games”
Nikos Dabizas is also aware of the potential consequences of the collision of these universes.
In the former Newcastle center-back’s house, a large framed picture acts as a daily reminder.
After scoring the game-winning goal in front of the away supporters at the Stadium of Light in 2002, it shows the Greek wild-eyed, bare-chested, and surrounded by his ecstatic teammates.
He was undoubtedly impacted by this fixture.
“It’s the intensity of the fans,” he remarked. It is something that is passed on from one generation to the next. This game is very unique because of this tradition.
What, therefore, is the cause of the intense competition between two one-club cities that are less than fifteen miles apart?
For Stokell, a Sunderland season ticket holder, it extends beyond only football.
“You can go back to the English Civil War with Newcastle siding with the monarchy and Sunderland siding with the government,” he stated. It’s all about politics and the economy.
“Newcastle receives funds, has a large metropolis, and is frequently mentioned when discussing the Northeast. Sunderland is constantly under observation.
However, it is by no means biased.
After his son’s crucial free kick in that 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light in 2011, Taylor’s father Darren was even “mobbed” by ecstatic Newcastle fans.
For Geordies, it meant that much.
“It took a little bit of time afterwards to realise the significance of it,” Taylor stated.
“It greatly simplified my life. Because of that objective alone, I was permitted to make the occasional error while playing.
“I still visit St. James’ Park, and I see fathers telling their children, ‘Look at this guy? He scored the game-winning goal against the Mackems.
An already well-liked person’s status can be further enhanced by a derby victory.
When Chris Hughton managed his first derby as Newcastle’s manager in 2010, he had not yet secured promotion back to the Premier League.
Even though there were only three points up for grabs, Hughton saw right away that this game had “added responsibility” since fans in the Northeast “live for their football.”
“There are some derbies where you are not quite sure why they are derbies,” he stated. You do this one.
“These are two sizable clubs with distinct identities that are close to one another.
“In effect, they are the two biggest games of the season so you are conscious that the last thing you want to do is to lose, particularly in your own stadium.”
“Everyone will be aware that the Northeast is once again on the map.”
Hughton didn’t have to be concerned.
Even though his team defeated Sunderland 5-1 at St James’ Park in 2010, Newcastle has only won one Premier League rivalry since.
In actuality, Sunderland has won six of the previous seven top flight encounters.
Half of those wins were overseen by former Black Cats manager Gus Poyet, who quickly realized the match was “much bigger” than many outsiders believed.
“After family, the club is the most important thing to the people of Sunderland,” he stated.
“It’s so fierce that the club’s outcome has the power to alter the city’s mood, so can you fathom the outcome of the derby? It’s palpable.
“On the first day, they informed me. “You have to beat Newcastle, so please stay up.” I’m still not sure if defeating Newcastle or staying up was more crucial.”
Like Newcastle before them, Sunderland eventually fell through the relegation trapdoor in 2017 and were out of the top flight for eight years.
When these rivals last faced off in the FA Cup third round over two years ago, a division stood between them.
It was a sharp contrast.
The £40 million Newcastle had paid on Joelinton was far more than the total cost of Sunderland’s starting lineup that day.
The most seasoned player in the hosts’ starting lineup by a wide margin was Alex Pritchard, who signed on a free transfer. at the age of thirty.
“I don’t think the fans really believed, deep down, that we were going to win that game,” the former midfield player remarked. “But now it’s different.”
in a variety of ways.
With the inspired additions of Granit Xhaka, Enzo le Fee, Robin Roefs, Nordi Mukiele, Noah Sadiki, and Omar Alderete, among others, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume are probably the only players left from that 3-0 loss in Sunday’s starting lineup.
Naturally, Sunderland’s management at Regis le Bris is also different.
In addition to leading Sunderland to promotion, the Frenchman’s courageous team has faced up against some of the strongest clubs in the Premier League.
In actuality, Le Bris’ club is undefeated at home and Manchester City is the only team in the current top six to have defeated Sunderland this season.
With such a strong start to the season, Sunderland leads Newcastle by one point in the standings going into Sunday’s match.
When these adversaries resume hostilities at the Stadium of Light, it promises to be an exciting afternoon.
“Come Sunday, the world will know the North East is back on the map with top games again,” Taylor stated.
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