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Sunderland A.F.C. Stadium of Light
This awesome 42,000-capacity structure dominates the Wearside skyline. With work underway to increase the capacity to 48,000 by the start of next season, the stadium is a frontrunner to host England games while Wembley is being revamped. The stadium was built on the site of a former coalmine, signifying the football clubs bond with its people.
Streaker dodges ban on matches Mar 5 2002 By The Evening Chronicle
A streaker who left Newcastle United's Craig Bellamy gobsmacked at the Tyne Wear derby match has had a dressing 
down from magistrates.
Sunderland fan Frederick Pearson was seen by millions of TV viewers when he dashed naked across the pitch at the Stadium of Light .
Pearson is now counting his lucky stars after his streak almost led to him being stripped of the right to attend Premiership matches. At Sunderland Magistrates' Court, prosecutor Deirdre McKiernan, asked for a three-year ban when Pearson, 27, of Coalbank Road, Hetton-le-Hole, admitted a charge of going on a playing area.
But Sunderland magistrates dismissed it a "non-violent, misplaced prank". They gave him a conditional discharge for a year and ordered him to pay £50 costs.
Miss McKiernan said that after Pearson ran diagonally across the pitch, taking off his clothes until he was naked, two stewards took hold of him and he was handed over to police.
Asked later why he did it, he replied: "I thought the game was boring. I had to do something to give the lads a laugh."
He said: "Mr Pearson realises he was silly. There was no violence and this offence is at the very bottom of the spectrum.
It was a harmless, daft, non-threatening thing to do. It was a moment of madness and doesn't merit a banning order. He's made a fool of himself, big time."
After the hearing, Pearson said: "It's a great weight off my mind. I didn't realise until just before the hearing that I could be banned. I would have been gutted. I feel very lucky
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The Stadium of Light is the largest
new football stadium to be built in the UK this century and its facilities,
atmosphere and
architecture are second to none. Opened in 1997, with a fixture against past
World Club and European champions, Ajax.
His solicitor, Michael Coulthard,
said Pearson's streak was a spur of the moment decision after he was egged
on by his friends. 
four roundabouts keep to the left hand lane and follow signs for B1289 (Roker).
Continue on this road and you will see the Stadium on your right.
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Copyright [2006] Dean Wilson[www.geordielife.com]. All rights reserved