‘Kim’ when you’re winning!

If Sunderland’s defence had been as tight as North Korea’s border controls they’d still be plying their trade in the Premier League.

North Korea is a notoriously secretive and insular nation, but one Black Cats fan is hoping to build bridges with the country through football. And why not? Sunderland may have been dropping down the divisions but it has a worldwide fan base.

Sunderland fan Tom Fowdy is a keen traveller and has been looking at ways of promoting travel and cultural exchanges with North Korea.

And if it seems like a farfetched idea, think again.

As we reveal today, several months ago the Visit North Korea group struck a promotional deal with nonleague side Blyth Spartans!

Now Tom wants to start something bigger with Sunderland.

His first venture is a project to ‘turn North Korea red and white.’

The aim of which is to get supporters to donate their old Sunderland tops which will be collected and sent out to North Korean locals. Tom said: “Although the DPRK is the most closed nation on the world, we are going to work to permanently ingrain Wearside into their national consciousness in a way which no football team has ever done before.”

The whole project may spark a few unusual terrace chants.

We’ve kicked it off with the line: “Have you ever seen a Mackem in Pyonyang?”

But we’d love to hear yours. Send them in.

Sunderland has had many famous faces through its turnstiles over the years, but the sight of North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in the Roker End would surely top the lot!

Watch this space ...