FOOTBALL, for all it means to so many here in the North-East, is not just a funny old game - it is stark raving bonkers.

Sunderland fans who spend their hard-earned wages week in, week out, supporting the club, have suffered the humiliation of seeing their team branded the worst in Premiership history.

Meanwhile, Peter Reid, the manager sacked a short time ago for laying the foundations of Sunderland's demise, has gone on to land himself a fat contract as a reward for not pulling off a unique relegation double with Leeds United - a team bulging with multi-million pound internationals when he took over as caretaker manager.

Never before has the evidence been so glaring that the world of football is going crazy as a result of the obscene amounts of money being lavished on top players and managers.

Clubs are facing enormous debts just to be able to compete, managers are collapsing with stress because so much is at stake, and fans are paying through the nose for the privilege of watching stars who earn more in a week than they can earn in a year.

David Beckham may or may not leave Manchester United for Real Madrid for £35m and the Stock Exchange holds its breath.

Reality has to kick in sometime and we hope it is sooner rather than later.

For cash-strapped Sunderland, the climb back to the Premiership will not be easy. Without prize assets such as Kevin Phillips and Thomas Sorensen, who are among the favourites to leave the club this summer, the going will be tough in Division One.

But all North-East football fans should wish the club a speedy return to the top flight because it is good for the spirit of the region to have three clubs competing at the highest level.

The 2002-3 football season is over. The break from the madness will do us all good.

Then we can look forward to a new season in the hope that Sunderland can regain their Premiership status without breaking the bank in the process.

Sadly, the hope is not matched by a great deal of confidence.