SUNDERLAND striker Kevin Phillips saw red when a cheeky stonemason stamped the initials of bitter rivals Newcastle United on a sign made for his luxury mansion.

The England ace ordered the £450 name plaque for the entrance to his £1m country home.

But he was left stony-faced when the work arrived - complete with NUFC etched in 10cm-high letters on the back.

Now the mystery Toon Army fan has had a dressing down from his bosses at Dunhouse Quarry, near Barnard Castle, County Durham - but he still has his job.

The Sunderland forward, still reeling from his side's 2-0 defeat by the Magpies in the Tyne-Wear derby at St James' on Saturday, has demanded a new plaque for his farmhouse home near Bishop Auckland.

A worker at the quarry said: "The lad who did the carving is a massive Newcastle United fan and he thought it would be a bit of a laugh.

"He etched the letters NUFC on the back of the sign and thought no one would notice. Perhaps he should have made the letters a little bit smaller.

"Unfortunately Phillips didn't see the funny side and went mad when he realised what had happened.

"The stonemason is sorry and has apologised but he's still working at the quarry and he is hoping the fuss will die down."

A spokeswoman for Kevin Phillips confirmed the cheeky Newcastle fan's actions and said the sign had been returned.

Quarry chiefs are now hastily making a new plaque.

Managing director Paul Allison said: "It is safe to say the Phillips family were very cross about what happened.

"The sign has been returned and we can only apologise for what happened.

"The stonemason in question has been spoken to but he is still employed here."