SEATING at one of the North-East’s Premier League football grounds will no longer be in the pink as the new season progresses.

As Sunderland AFC enters its twentieth season at the Stadium of Light, supporters are set to see some changes at the home of the Black Cats, including the replacement of faded red seating.

Opened in July 1997, the 48,000-plus seat stadium was considered among the most iconic modern grounds to be built in the post-war era, replacing the club’s famous, but outdated home of the previous 99 years, Roker Park.

The club has announced a significant investment is being implemented to ensure some of the stadium’s slightly faded lustre is restored.

It said the “most significant aspect” of the work will see a rolling replacement programme for the seating, starting soon.

The installation will be carried out in a number of stages, to fit around the busy itinerary of matches and other major events.

In phase one, the seats in the East Stand, will be replaced.

The remaining seats will be installed gradually, to minimise disruption to stadium operations.

Chief executive officer Martin Bain said: “After almost 20 years, naturally some areas of the Stadium of Light are in need of a face-lift.

“It is a magnificent home for our football club and we want to ensure that it is a stadium our fans can continue to be proud of.

“The replacing of the seats will be the most visual aspect of the work we are undertaking and is something I am sure Sunderland fans will welcome”.

Long-term season ticket holder James Smallwood called for the replacement of the sun-faded sections of seating at the end of last season, and he has now pledged to end his online campaign following the club announcement.

Refurbishment work will also be extended to the stadium’s largest hospitality and function room, the Montgomery Suite, named after the much-loved 1973 FA Cup-winning goalkeeping hero and club ‘ambassador’ Jimmy Montgomery.

It will undergo a make-over, bringing a contemporary new look to the popular match-day hospitality venue.

There will also be a new-look tunnel in place when the players enter the field for the first home game of the coming season, against the North-East’s other Premier League participants, newly promoted Middlesbrough, on Sunday August 21.

It will feature imposing life-sized graphics featuring first-team players, with also a nod to the mining heritage of the site, the former home of Wearmouth Colliery, adorning the walls.

The Wear-Tees derby (1.30pm kick-off) will be new manager David Moyes’ first game at the Stadium of Light since his appointment.

Tickets and match-day hospitality for the game are still available, via www.safc.com, or by ringing 0871-911 1973 (both 24-hour service).