‘Disgusted’ Sunderland fans reacted with fury at the rebranding part of the Stadium of Light in black and white colours ahead of Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby.

Images surfaced on social media on Thursday (January 4) showing parts of the Sunderland ground being decorated with the colours and slogans of arch rivals Newcastle.

There was already controversy about the club handing toon fans the ‘Black Cats bar’ area of the stadium for the FA Cup clash between the sides.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg compared to the backlash which ensued when pictures of signs reading ‘Keep the black and white flying high’ and ‘We are United’ were posted online, along with a mural of Sunderland’s ‘Ha’way the lads’ motto being changed and translated from Mackem to Geordie as ‘Howay the lads’.

The Northern Echo: The signage was brought in to cover-up Sunderland signage.The signage was brought in to cover-up Sunderland signage. (Image: Social Media Imagery)

The Wearside club issued a statement apologising to fans and saying the Mags’ branding would be taken down.

It has been reported this afternoon (Friday, January 5) Sunderland approved the signage for the Newcastle-themed decoration last month.

The PA news agency reports the Magpies were invited to submit designs for the Black Cats Bar, which will provide corporate hospitality for travelling fans for the third-round tie, in December and that they were signed off by a senior member of staff at the Wearside club.

It is understood the move was intended to lessen the potential for the area, which normally carries Sunderland’s livery, to be damaged by rival supporters.

But the club's apology did little to please fans outside the Stadium of Light on Friday lunchtime who spoke of their fury at seeing the images online.

Kate Plumpton, who’s going to the game, said: “I don’t really accept the apology.

“I don’t think the owner understands the massive thing of the derby. It’s just another thing to rile the mags I suppose and give them more ammunition for tomorrow.

“They should know what the fans are like but they (the owners) have just rattled them now.”

One fan, who did not want to be named and will be watching the game from home tomorrow said they were disgusted at the pictures.

They said: “Disgusting. What were they thinking?

“It was insulting. I looked online and loads of people were upset about it

The Northern Echo: The signage has since been removed, SAFC has said.The signage has since been removed, SAFC has said. (Image: SOCIAL MEDIA)

“Someone should be fired, 100 per cent.”

Anthony, a life-long fan who was on a walk around the stadium to touch his dad’s memorial brick, said: “Whatever happens on the pitch is going to be the most important thing, but it was a PR disaster.

“It was such a poor decision by whoever makes them decisions. If we lose, we’ve got a long long way to rebuild and get that trust back.”

Meanwhile supporter Chris Doughty added: “I just don’t understand the logic, the [owner]’s a fool. He obviously doesn’t get anything to do with this club remotely, but he’s proven that already in so many ways.”

Preparations were underway at the stadium ahead of the big derby, the first meeting of the rival sides in almost eight years.

Flags were being put out at home supporters’ seats throughout the ground, although Newcastle’s ‘Wor Flags’ group were unable to get permission to take some of their flags with them.

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A club spokesperson previously said: “Sunderland AFC acknowledges that a serious error in judgement was made in relation to Black Cats Bar earlier this afternoon.

“We apologise to our fans for the understandable concern they have fairly voiced in response and this sentiment is shared by the club’s ownership group and board of directors, who have requested an immediate review is undertaken to determine how this process unfolded.

“A direct decision has also been taken by the ownership group and board of directors to return the space to its original state and we once again apologise to our supporters that this was not addressed sooner.”