They turned up, bang on time at 4.30pm, and were met by a group of Toon fans to stood to aplaud and shake hands.
Donations are continuing to flood in to the fundraising appeal set up by Sunderland fan Gary Ferguson, from South Shields.
He set up the appeal on the Black Cats fans’ Ready to Go Messageboard in a bid to collect £100 to pay for a floral tribute to Magpies supporters John Alder, 63 and Liam Sweeney, who were among the 298 people killed in the tragedy.
But the running total reached a remarkable £20,000 within days – and is now closing in on £35,000.
Mr Ferguson, a 48-year-old sales manager, said: “Donations have come in from all over the world.
“Obviously we’ve had lots from Sunderland and Newcastle, but we’ve had them from as afar afield as Australia.
“Liam’s stepmother has terminal cancer and goes to the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle, so half the money is going to the hospice. And I was speaking to John’s sister Joyce, who told me John loved the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, so half the money is going there.”
Anyone wishing to donate to Mr Ferguson’s appeal can visit www.gofundme.com/brx6wk