BOXING club coaches came up with the perfect strip to unite young Sunderland and Newcastle fans in their own fighting force.

Rivals on the football terraces but good pals in the gym, the boys from Spennymoor Boxing Academy can't argue over their new strip.

Unveiled in time for tomorrow's derby, the striped vest and shorts answer the old chestnut - what's black and white and red all over?

Look one way and it's a Sunderland strip, turn sideways and you see the Magpie colours.

Coach Robbie Ellis designed the outfit to please all his members, which include several national champions.

He said: "A lot of them have season tickets for either Sunderland or Newcastle, and there was no way we could choose between the two clubs.

"We hope the new strip will bring together the intense rivalry that is common in this area of County Durham and will help the two sets of supporters get on better together.

"Many clubs such as West Ham, Liverpool and Norwich box in their local football team's colours, but none combine two colours like Spennymoor."

The strips will be seen in the ring for the first time next Friday when the academy hosts its annual boxing dinner at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.