More than 2,000 supporters from all 20 top-flight clubs were quizzed by BT Vision on their monthly football consumption.

Sunderland fans came top, forking out a staggering £111.91 on following their club. They also attended the most home and away games and watched more football on TV.

West Bromwich Albion fans came second and Manchester City third.
Newcastle United fans came bottom of the survey, spending just £38.50 a month.

George Forster, chairman of the SAFC supporters association, said there was an "air of excitement" around the club this season.

"The club and Roy Keane do seem to mean business this year," said George. "They have spent a good amount on new players, so you've got to be hopeful, and that is being reflected in the support.

"Going off the cup game with Forest the other night, a good few Sunderland fans made the trip down there, which is brilliant for a midweek game.

"Football is becoming more and more expensive every year and times are hard, so a lot of people are making sacrifices to attend the matches."

The BT Vision Sports Fanatic survey was conducted by OnePoll in August 2008 and explored the habits of football fans across the UK.

Overall, the North-East came out on top, each month watching 4.9 hours of football on TV and spending £62.74 on their club.

The West Midlands were next, watching 5.13 hours of football on TV a month and spending £55.32 on their team.

In third place came London, where fans watch 4.98 hours of football on TV and spent £54.14 on their team.

The survey also made a shocking discovery that females were bigger football fans than their male counterparts.

Despite being smaller in number, women spent more per month supporting their clubs – £56.46 per month compared to £47.49 for men.

'It's like an addiction, you can't stop'

WE went out onto the streets of Sunderland to find out why Sunderland fans are so passionate about their team.

Jim Shipley, 58, a former miner from Sunderland, "I'm not surprised. We're a canny team now and the team is coming along with Keano in charge."

"I know people who gave up their season tickets but are back there now. It's something to be proud of."

Brian Hart, 67, and wife Jackie, 68, are both retired and live in Myrella Crescent near Tunstall Hill.

Brian said: "We are loyal supporters. It's a fantastic club."



"The board of directors are great. You only have to look back at the taxis they paid for after that away game. They are good to us as well."

"Sunderland football club is in your heart. If you cut me in half I'd bleed red and white."



Jackie added: "It's lovely to see the amount of little ones at the games.

"They all have the strips and they're not cheap.

"Some families will struggle to afford them, but it shows their commitment."

Julia Christie, 20, a warehouse assistant from Pennywell, said: "I followed them from Premier League to Championship and back again.

"This is nice for the fans and city and shows how we follow our team."



Julia's mother Dorothy, 53, a housewife added, "Even if you don't follow football, everyone looks at the back pages to see how the team got on."

Pauline Branton, 36, a full-time carer from Hylton Castle, "I'm not at all surprised. My dad was a season ticket holder and took me to all the games. Now I do the same with my daughters.



"After you've been to your first game it's like an addiction. You just can't stop going."