SUNDERLAND striker Kevin Phillips found time for a joke when he was stopped for speeding.

The former Golden Boot winner asked County Durham traffic bobby Nigel Craig if the fixed penalty of three points could be added to the relegation-threatened club's modest Premiership tally.

The 29-year-old was pulled over for doing 62.5mph in the 50mph limit on the A690 at West Rainton, near Durham City, in December.

Super Kev, as he is known to Red and White fans, was heading to training at Whitburn in his BMW from his home in Bishop Auckland, County Durhham.

"He was polite and apologetic when he was stopped,'' said PC Craig, a fan of the club's arch rivals, Newcastle.

"He accepted a fixed penalty ticket and a £60 fine, but jokingly asked if the three points on his licence could go to the club to ease their plight.''

But just over 24 hours later the officer came face to face with one of his heroes, Toon ace Kieron Dyer.

He stopped the Magpies' hotshot for doing 63mph in his £70,000 Mercedes, in a 50mph limit on the A167, at Chester-le-Street.

Despite his footballing leanings, PC Craig handed out another fixed penalty for three penalty points and £60 fine.

He joked: "I could have completed the set if I had run into a Middlesbrough player the following day.''