... having repeatedly admitted he would not have been happy at some of this season's events, he insists he would not have boycotted Sunday's game.
He said: "I would go to the match because I support the team."
Asked if those threatening the boycott are not also supporters, he replied: "I think they do support the team, but they have obviously got their own issues. I respect those issues, but I was asked, 'Would I go?', and I would say yes, I would go because I support the team.
"I never thought I'd see it [a boycott], to be perfectly honest, especially in the north-east of England because we love football, so obviously something has triggered in their heads to make them not want to come, and I respect that."