SUNDERLAND have announced a pre-season game at North-East neighbours South Shields this summer.
The Black Cats will head to Shields' Mariners Park ground on Thursday, July 11 (7.30pm) to take on the Northern Premier League side.
The game is the first pre-season match that Sunderland have confirmed, although the club also intend to travel to Portugal for a training camp in mid-July that will feature two games.
South Shields have risen up the non-league pyramid in recent seasons, although they missed out on promotion to National League North last season when they lost to Warrington Town in the play-off final.
Tickets for the Sunderland friendly will be priced at £6 for adults, £4 for concessions and £2 for under-16s, and information on how to purchase will be released soon.
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