From The Vault: Roy Keane's classy gesture to tea lady that Sunderland fans will love

The ex-Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Celtic hardman managed Sunderland between 2006 and 2008, leading the club to the Premier League.

And Keane’s no-nonsense attitude certainly proved a hit with supporters during his time on Wearside.

But former striker Brown – who played for the club between 2003 and 2007 – painted a different picture of the Irishman.

“I went back to Sunderland, probably two years ago,” Brown said on the Under The Cosh Podcast. “And I was speaking to the woman, there’s always a woman in the players’ lounge that does the drinks, does the food and all that.

"And I just said, ‘who has been your favourite manager?’ She said, ‘without a shadow of a doubt Roy Keane.’”

“Every home game, he used to come up, everyone had gone, and he used to come up and ask how she was and he’d give her a bit of pocket money to go away with.

"He didn’t have to do that, did he? Not many managers would go out of their way and just go and have a bit of chat with the tea lady in the players’ lounge and every week he would give her some money.”

Keane has been the assistant manager at Aston Villa, the Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest since being sacked as Ipswich Town boss in 2011 – but is now most well-known now for his punditry with Sky Sports and ITV.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor