Newcastle’s Under-23 side were drawn against Sunderland in the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy.
Newcastle United have been afforded just 2,800 tickets ahead of their Under-23 side taking on bitter rivals Sunderland in third round of the Checkatrade Trophy – despite reportedly asking for more.
The Shields Gazette claim Newcastle asked Sunderland for 5,000 tickets – in keeping with the competition’s rules that allow away sides to have 10 per cent of the stadium’s capacity.
But Newcastle’s request has been snubbed by Sunderland, who have given Newcastle less than 3,000 seats for the clash which will take place on January 8. That is just under six per cent of Sunderland’s 49,000-capacity stadium.
Sunderland executive director Charlie Methven was quoted as saying: “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.”
Charlie Methven (R).
Methven may have a point with security, after Port Vale allowed 4,000 Stoke City fans to attend the clash between the two Staffordshire-based sides in the same competition at Vale Park – only for disturbances to ensue.
Newcastle gained a place in the third round after beating Sol Campbell’s Macclesfield Town on penalties, in what was the former England defender’s first game in charge.
Meanwhile, Sunderland knocked Notts County of the competition thanks to an own goal and a Jerome Sinclair penalty. The Black Cats are currently fighting for promotion in the third tier of English football.
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