SUNDERLAND fans have not had much to shout about in recent times - but now at least now they can hold claim to the nation's funniest football song.

The song, Niall Quinn's Disco Pants, topped a poll of terrace chants which put a smile on the faces of football fans.

Other classics in the poll, commissioned by holidaymaker Thomson, included Who Ate All The Pies?, Tom Jones' Delilah, and Blowing Bubbles.

The top ten poll also rated fans on their sense of humour. Sunderland came sixth but, as befits their recent positions, bitter rivals Newcastle finished higher, second behind Liverpool.

Tom Lynn, who edits the Sunderland fans' magazine Wearside Roar, said the Niall Quinn song was a "term of endearment" for one of the club's all-time favourite players.

He said: "It was associated with Man City when he was there, but the fact that he stayed with us so long helped popularise it.

"He quite liked it. I have seen him at a couple of social events when the whole place has been singing it and he would have a big smile on his face.

"It is just a bit of a laugh."

Mr Lynn said that particularly given the club's current plight, it was good to try and keep spirits up.

Sunderland, who are more than £26m in debt, were relegated from the Premiership last season with the lowest ever points total and goals scored.

Mr Lynn said: "Humour often comes out in times of adversity and there is plenty of potential for that at Sunderland at the moment."

Niall Quinn's Disco Pants song was created by fans after Quinn took a pre-season trip abroad with his former club, Man City.

Wearing only a pair of cut-off jeans, flip-flops and a singlet in a posh nightclub, the name Disco Pants stuck.

The song was released by Sunderland fanzine band A Love Supreme four years ago but failed to make it into the top 40.

Quinn scored 61 goals in 168 league appearances for Sunderland.

His testimonial game last year, which took place following his retirement from playing, raised more than £1m for charity.

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