MAGPIES JOKE SHOP
NOVELTY SIGN CREATED AT PREMISES IN CITY STREET
The Sunderland fan who created a shop front poking fun at supporters of Newcastle United who protest against club owner Mike Ashley has defended the sign.
Darren Lloyd created the sign at a property in Hylton Road in reaction to protests by Magpies fans outside Sports Direct stores owned by Mr Ashley.
The sign says ‘Pop Up Shout Shop For Sad Newcastle United Fans To Yell And Scream At’ while it also hails Sunderland’s recordbreaking six consecutive Wear-Tyne derby wins and refers to ‘horse punchers’ after a well-documented incident where one Newcastle fan was jailed for punching a police horse after the Black Cats won at St James’s Park in 2013.
Rafa Benitez’s side are currently in the top flight’s relegation zone and without a win this season.
It is not the first time Mr Lloyd has decorated shops in an attempt to poke fun at his team’s rivals, with a similar stunt carried out when the Magpies were relegated in 2009.
Some Newcastle fans working nearby have hit out at the move, claiming that SAFC supporters have little to crow about at present, with the Black Cats currently two leagues below in League One.
But Mr Lloyd has defended the sign.
“At the end of the day it’s a bit of fun and all part of the rivalry,” he said.
“When we got relegated, twice, they put signs up leading to the Stadium of Light taking the micky, but at least we didn’t start shouting at shops and restaurants, or even taking our shoes off in protest!
“Saying that, it must be good business for Mike Ashley if they lose a shoe cos we all know where they’ll go for a cut-price cheap replacement!”
Some people however have failed to see the funny side of the prank.
A Newcastle-supporting woman who runs a shop nearby said: “I think whoever has done it is a bit obsessed.
“If it makes them happy I suppose that’s great, but I don’t think it’s funny.
“I don’t think Sunderland fans are in any position to laugh at Newcastle right now.
“But I don’t dislike Sunderland.
“There was another shop done here when Newcastle got relegated before, saying they’d be selling all players for £1, which I thought was funny.
“This isn’t appropriate when you’ve got children walking past.”