But - isn't that the reason why (we believe) the Tyne-Wear derby is the most passionate in England?
Yes - we DO hate each other - but is it time for things to change?
Gary Lineker has urged football fans to bring an end to the hatred contaminating English football.
Lineker is concerned by the growing amount of violence and anger which has become increasingly prevalent in English football in the last twelve months, with a series of incidents of racism dominating the headlines.
More recently, West Ham fans have been guilty of singing sickening anti-sematic chants about the Holocaust against Tottenham Hotspurs fans, who are recognised as having a strong Jewish following.
On Sunday, events took another damaging turn as Manchester United players celebrating Robin van Persie’s injury time winner in the Manchester derby were pelted with coins by City fans, with Rio Ferdinand receiving a nasty cut to his face, which left him with blood streaming down from above his eye.
In a series of messages posted on Twitter, the former England captain said: ‘Come on football fans everywhere; it’s time to take the hatred out of your love for the game.
'The violence around football has depressed me my entire sporting life. Love don’t loathe, humour don’t hate, spectate don’t spoil.
'Important to point out that the vast majority of football fans are sensible, passionate, law abiding citizens.'