IT WOULD not be a derby day without a mention of the Howey brothers.
It may be 20 years since they last kicked a ball—or since a mystery fall-out meant they last spoke to each other — but you will hear the names of both Steve, 54, and Lee, 56, from the Stadium of Light stands tomorrow.
The pair grew up as Sunderland lads, dreaming of one day lining-up at Roker Park and for England.
One lived out the first. The other achieved the latter, only while wearing the Black and White of Newcastle.
Defender Steve joined the Mags as a teen and burst on to the scene under boss Kevin Keegan, becoming a cornerstone of his legendary Entertainers side.
However, while he was helping Newcastle win promotion back to the top flight in 1993, his older brother was getting his own big break.
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Having been spotted playing non-league for Bishop Auckland, Terry Butcher handed him a pro contract at Roker Park and, within months, an infamous X-rated chant was born. It was simple but effective.
“Lee Howey, Lee Howey, Lee Howey, your brother is a c***!”
It was a hit. So much so it can still be heard regularly at Sunderland matches.
Lee, recalling hearing it for the first time during a clash against Middlesbrough in the 1993-94 campaign, says in his autobiography Massively Violent and Decidedly Average: “I was warming up behind the linesman and in front of the Main Stand when the chant was struck up.
“It was sung to the tune from the commercials for Direct Line Insurance, a sort of cavalry charge jingle.
“I caught the use of my name but didn’t hear the song properly at first.
“Brian Atkinson, who was warming up alongside me, evidently did, because he was greatly amused.
“It wasn’t exactly ‘Figaro’s Aria’ and was a terribly easy ‘song’ to learn.
“So when an encore was delivered it was with more volume and spirit as other sections of the ground began to join in.
“It seems unlikely that any consideration was given to whether or not I was offended by this musical imputation of the good name of my only sibling.
“Football crowds tend not to be overly sensitive. They needn’t have worried (not that they did).”
He continued: “The song refuses to die and has a longevity that is rare for a football chant. It will probably be around when I’m not.
“When I attend Sunderland games these days, especially away from home, I zip up, wear a baseball cap and attempt to keep a low profile.
“But it only takes one person to recognise me and they’re off: Lee Howey! Lee Howey! Lee Howey!
“I don’t suppose our mother gives whole-hearted approval to the song, with its blunt and offensive reference to her younger child, but it has never offended me.
“Any time I am questioned about the oft-repeated, foul-mouthed choral abuse of my brother, my answer is always the same, ‘Well, he is.’”
Sadly the brothers have not spoken for over two decades.
It is even sadder that there is zero chance of the Howey boys enjoying the 158th Tyne-Wear derby together.
Not that Steve, who went on to enjoy success with Manchester City and later played for Leicester, would expect to get a warm welcome on Wearside.
The song refuses to die and has a longevity that is rare for a football chant.”
Lee Howey on Sunderland fans’ explicit song about his brother
He told SunSport: “I’ve got that lovely song that the Sunderland fans sing which I still get. All my family are Sunderland fans.
“It is what it is. It was my job to do the best that I could for Newcastle.
“Being brutally honest, do I want Sunderland to do well in the Premier League? Absolutely, yeah.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the derby.”
Sunderland have surprised everyone with their stunning start to life in the Prem following promotion, and they head into this THREE positions and a point better off than their fierce rivals.
Steve added: “Sunderland have done brilliant, absolutely superb, but it’s still early doors.
“Will Sunderland have a blip? Probably.
“If you look at Newcastle’s team, on paper you’d have thought they’ve got the better players.
“Newcastle supporters probably thought when Sunderland got promoted that it was going to be a stroll in the park.
“But, with how well they adapted to the Premier League, I don’t think it is going to be, it’s going to be a tough game.
“But the players will tell you, it doesn’t make any difference where you are in the league to play in the derbies. It’s irrelevant.
“It’s just whoever wants it more on that particular day.”
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