Police have warned any trouble at this weekend’s Tyne-Wear derby ‘will not be tolerated’, in a plea for calm ahead of the hotly-anticipated FA Cup clash.

Newcastle United and Sunderland will meet for the first time since 2016 in Saturday lunchtime’s third round cup fixture at the Stadium of Light.

FA Cup rules mean that the Magpies have been given a bumper ticket allocation of 6,000, with away supporters having to travel on return bus services from St James’ Park to get to the match.

Matches between the rivals have attracted disorder in the past, including in 2013 when toon fans rioted in Newcastle city centre after beating the Black Cats 3-0 and one supporter famously punched a police horse.

The Northern Echo: Barry Rogerson punched a police horse after Newcastle beat Sunderland 3-0 in April 2013. He was jailed for a year.Barry Rogerson punched a police horse after Newcastle beat Sunderland 3-0 in April 2013. He was jailed for a year.

But Northumbria Police subsequently adopted a more relaxed approach to managing derby games, prompted by an easing of hostilities after the MH17 plane disaster in 2014 in which Newcastle fans Liam Sweeney and John Alder were killed, dispensing with the ‘ring of steel’ road closures and police escorts for away supporters.

As final preparations are made for the first derby match in almost eight years and for the new challenge of such a large visiting crowd, the force said on Wednesday morning that it wanted fans to “work with us” to make sure the televised fixture goes ahead without incident – and warned that “tough action”, including football banning orders, would be taken against troublemakers.

The last meeting of the sides was a 1-1 draw at St James Park with Newcastle equalising in the 83rd minute.

Cordons to separate the two sets of fans and a “much larger” police presence than usual has been promised at the Stadium of Light, as well as extra officers stationed in Sunderland and Newcastle city centres.

The Northern Echo: Sunderland fans in full voice in 2015 as their arch rivals arrive at the Stadium of Light.Sunderland fans in full voice in 2015 as their arch rivals arrive at the Stadium of Light.

Chief Supt Neil Hutchison said: “There is understandably widespread excitement for the upcoming FA Cup game between Sunderland and Newcastle at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Football fans in the North East are well known for being amongst the most passionate in the country and this fixture is much-anticipated by supporters of both clubs.

“Our role, and that of our wider partners – including the clubs, transport providers and local authorities – is to help ensure those attending the game can do so safely and that disruption for other members of the public is kept to a minimum. Ever since the fixture was announced, extensive discussions have been held with all parties and a lot of work has been ongoing to facilitate the safe delivery of such a large-scale event.

“As a result, all partners involved agreed to a number of conditions. This includes, in order to facilitate a 6,000 away allocation, Newcastle supporters travelling to and from the stadium on designated coaches. Without doing so, the public transport system would not be able to accommodate such a large number of supporters safely.

“On the day, there will be a much larger police presence around the ground than usual and to further help accommodate the safe arrival and departure of both sets of fans police cordons will be in place. We would therefore ask all fans to work with us to help ensure the match goes ahead without incident.”

The Northern Echo: Newcastle will be hoping to turn around a spell of poor form.Newcastle will be hoping to turn around a spell of poor form. (Image: PA)

Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus has confirmed that it will not be running any special direct services for football fans on the day of the derby, as has been the case for previous matches.

Chief Supt Hutchison added: “We know the overwhelming majority of supporters will follow the advice being shared by ourselves and their respective clubs and will be going to the match to enjoy the occasion. However, we want to make it clear to anyone who is intent on using the game as an excuse to cause trouble that this will not be tolerated. 

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“Anyone found responsible will subsequently face tough action, including criminal prosecution and being handed a football banning order. As well as the increased police presence at the ground, we will also have additional officers in both city centres. 

“Any disorder will be clamped down upon and those involved can expect to be arrested. Ultimately, we want to ensure all supporters can have a safe and enjoyable time – and everyone can play their part in achieving that result.”

NUFC fans attending the match have been told that they must travel on buses organised by the club that will leave from St James’ on Saturday morning – and will only be given their match ticket as they exit the bus outside the Stadium of Light.

Newcastle United said on Tuesday that away fans would be held back inside the Stadium of Light at the end of the game, “until the stadium vicinity has cleared”.