Red And White Army Statement to the Bubble Announcement, In Partnership with SAFC Branch Liaison Council - 20 October 2026

This decision to enforce a "bubble trip" arrangement onto the upcoming derby match is an absolute disgrace. The decision has been made behind closed doors, with no transparency and no consultation with the fans. The Red & White Army Supporters Trust and Branch Liaison Council (BLC) are fundamentally opposed to this.

Recent fixtures at both St. James' Park and the Stadium of Light were delivered successfully, with Northumbria Police confirming that operations passed "largely without incident" and praising the conduct of the overwhelming majority of supporters. Therefore, the decision to designate this season's fixture as a "bubble match" raises important questions that must be answered. Given that recent fixtures have been safely and successfully managed, authorities must explain and provide evidence as to why these draconian restrictions have been introduced this season.

The overwhelming majority of fans attending this fixture, and football matches in general, are law-abiding people whose only aim is to watch a football match and support their club. Measures introduced to address the actions of a tiny minority should not penalise the thousands of fans who have committed no crimes and who consistently behave responsibly.

We therefore call on the SAG, Northumbria Police and NUFC to provide greater transparency around the rationale for these arrangements and to engage meaningfully with supporter representatives. This decision must be reversed.

The Red & White Army Supporters Trust and the BLC fully supports proportionate measures to ensure the safety of supporters, staff, police officers and the wider public. This fixture is a showcase for the passion and rivalry that makes North East football special and it should be managed appropriately. This is not it.