SUNDERLAND fans thrown off a flight for singing club chairman Niall Quinn's name managed to get home after their hero dug deep in his pockets.

Mr Quinn paid £8,000 for a fleet of taxis to take 80 supporters back to Wearside after Saturday's Championship match at Cardif City, which the Black Cats won 1-0 to briefly go second in the table.

The fans were awaiting the easyJet flight from Bristol to Newcastle, but staff called police who ejected a number of them.

The flight then missed its slot and was cancelled, leaving the supporters and other passengers stranded.

Mr Quinn booked 18 taxis for the 300-mile journey home and rode home in one of them himself.

One fan said: "Everyone was in high spirits. A few people had been drinking but there was no bad behaviour at all, it was very good-natured.

"When Niall Quinn walked into the airport, there was a great cheer and people started singing Niall's anthem, Niall Quinn's Disco Pants.

"When we actually boarded the flight, we were baffled when it didn't take off.

"Everyone was sitting with their seatbelts on and the next thing we knew the police were coming on board.

"Stewardesses walked down the cabin and picked out fans they wanted evicted from the flight.

"One was a disabled man who hadn't had a thing to drink and as far as anyone could see was causing no problem at all.

"Niall was very concerned about it and decided to get off the flight himself.

"It must have cost a fortune but it shows again that he's the most decent bloke in football."

"It was incredible and everyone thanks him from the bottom of their hearts."

An easyJet spokesman said: "Due to disruptive behaviour on board flight EZY 576 from Bristol to Newcastle on Saturday, police were called to the aircraft and a group of passengers were removed from the flight.

"EasyJet has a zero-tolerance policy towards any unacceptable behaviour onboard or towards its staff and the flight was consequently cancelled.

"The airline offered those passengers not involved a free transfer on to the next available flight and hotel accommodation and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to them."

Sunderland chairman Quinn said: "The journey home from Cardiff was certainly one of our more eventful ones.

"Myself and members of my staff were on board the flight.

"We vehemently oppose the airline's view that there was disruptive behaviour on the plane.

"Nevertheless, we were faced with a situation where our fans were stranded and needed assistance.

"The club was happy to provide transport back to the North-East for the group, which included children, elderly and disabled fans, as their safety and well-being was paramount.

"We also deny the airline's claim that overnight accommodation was offered and this was witnessed by several independent parties.

"Thankfully, everyone returned home safely and we will now draw a line under this."