Sunderland's shell-shocked players have offered to refund the cost of supporters' tickets for their 8-0 Premier League humiliation at Southampton.

More than 2,500 fans who made the long trip to the south coast on Saturday will be able to claim back the 24 pound cost of admission, or have the sum donated to city-based children's hospice Grace House instead.

Skipper John O'Shea said: "We win and lose as a team, players, staff and fans. However we wanted to acknowledge and thank the supporters who travelled such a long way to give us their backing and despite everything, stayed with us until the final whistle.''

Keeper Vito Mannone suggested the idea immediately after the horror show, which saw him picking the ball out of his net on eight occasions -- with his own teammates responsible for two of the goals.

The offer will cost the players in excess of 60,000 pounds.

Fans have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 to submit a claim by returning their match ticket either in person at the Stadium of Light ticket office or by post to SAFC (Refunds), PO Box 165, Sunderland SR5 1WF, enclosing their name, address and customer number.

Any funds which are not claimed by the deadline will go to Grace House, which provides respite, palliative and end of life care for children and young people throughout the north-east who have life-shortening conditions for which there is no known cure.