DURHAM Miners' Association said tonight it is going to write to Sunderland football club to demand the return of the Wearmouth Miners' Banner in protest at Paulo Di Canio's appointment as head coach.

The banner is on permanent display in the Stadium of Light.

General secretary Dave Hopper, who worked for 27 years as a miner at Wearmouth Colliery, the site on which the Stadium of Light now stands, said: "The appointment of Di Canio is a disgrace and a betrayal of all who fought and died in the fight against fascism.

"Everyone must speak out and oppose this outrage and call on Ellis Short and the Sunderland board to reverse their decision."