The result was delete per verifiability, notability, and original research concerns; those leaning toward "weak keep" agreed that the article needs a rewrite, and discussion cast unresolved doubt on whether serious reliable sources could be found. — TKD::Talk 07:06, 8 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
This article is all over the place, trying to define a reputed "rivalry" that may not exist in any meaningful sense beyond the football pitch (which would be better dealt with in the articles for the respective football teams). It consists entirely of unsourced original research. ProhibitOnions (T) 09:25, 27 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Please also see Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/History of the Tyne-Wear Derby. ProhibitOnions (T) 13:13, 1 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]
A (reader) review of this book on Amazon called Alice in Sunderland says "Hinting at the traditional Sunderland-Newcastle rivalry, a theme discussed in the book, the credits reveal that the Newcastle-based Arts Council England (North East) refused a grant for the Sunderland based work."
Similar claims aren't just made but referenced on the History of the Tyne-Wear Derby, an article which is linked to this one via a merge template. There's no reason that someone with an interest in NE England's history couldn't make something decent from this. QuagmireDog 09:46, 27 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]