THE suggestion, perhaps offer, by Sunderland’s goalkeeper that he and his fellow players reimburse travelling fans following the team’s crushing 8-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton FC on Saturday may set an interesting precedent.

It is reported that far from being a throw-away line by Vito Mannone, after the final whistle blew on the northern squad’s abysmal performance, the idea is being taken seriously. At a meeting planned this week the team will decide what recompense they could make to fans who made the 700-mile round trip to St Mary’s Stadium.

With the cost of reimbursing fans for their woes calculated to be in the region of £250,000 it is unlikely the full amount would be forthcoming, even from highlypaid footballers. Yet some gesture could be made, perhaps even to charity.

If this takes place then where, one wonders, will it all stop? Will any sporting team that receives a drubbing feel compelled to put their hands in their pockets? Doubtful. But certainly if pay was cut or no bonuses paid when a player has performed poorly then it will sharpen footballing minds as well as their attitudes on the pitch.