NORTH-East football fans watching their team in the race for the Premiership this weekend showed their support for another title bid.
The Toon Army - out in force on Sunday at St James' Park for Newcastle United's fixture against championship rivals Arsenal - gave their backing to the Newcastle- Gateshead bid for European Capital of Culture 2008.
About 5,000 fans in the stadium's West Stand waved cards making up the message, TOON 2008.
The message was seen by millions of Sky TV viewers and by a further 500 million people watching the match live in 24 countries.
Endorsed by Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Robson, the bid includes the region's football teams from the Premiership to grassroots leagues.
Neil Rami, chief executive of the Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative, said: "Sport of all kinds is part of this region's culture. This was a fitting demonstration of how hungry people here are for the title.
"People here understand that this title could make a difference for generations to come and they really want to win."
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