United ticket allocation for derby crunch capped by Black Cats

NEWCASTLE United have received an allocation of just 2,800 tickets for their under-21s’ Checkatrade Trophy derby clash at Sunderland.

The rivals will clash in the last 16 of the competition at the Stadium of Light on January 8.

Competition rules state that visiting teams are entitled to 10% of a stadium’s capacity, which on Wearside should mean visiting teams could have just under 5,000 tickets.

But the Magpies have received little more than half of that number, with security fears believed to be reason.

Sunderland executive director Charlie Methven told BBC Newcastle: “The rules of the competition are that the away team gets 10% of the stadium capacity.

“In our case, that’s just under 50,000, which would mean more or less getting 5,000 tickets, and Newcastle have asked us for that allocation. I think our view, and the view of our internal security team, is that’s maybe a bit high.

“There is a discussion going on with the police, and with Newcastle United, about finding the right balance.

“Stewart Donald and I are not at all fans of the whole idea of banning away fans or anything like that.”

The competition was blighted by trouble last month when Port Vale took 4,000 supporters to rivals Stoke City, while a minority of Newcastle United fans caused damage last season in the Stadium of Light during the Premier League International Cup quarter-final.

For Newcastle fans, tickets for the game next year are priced at £15 for adults, £5 for concessions. They are on sale now to members with 50+ loyalty points.