Sunderland’s shell-shocked players have offered to refund the cost of supporters’ tickets for their 8-0 Premier League humiliation at Southampton.
More than 2,500 fans who made the long trip to the south coast on Saturday will be able to claim back the £24 cost of admission, or have the sum donated to city-based children’s hospice Grace House instead.
Skipper John O’Shea said: “We win and lose as a team, players, staff and fans.
“However we wanted to acknowledge and thank the supporters who travelled such a long way to give us their backing and despite everything, stayed with us until the final whistle.”