Sanchez backs London's NI fans

Lawrie Sanchez with members of the London NISC Committee

Team manager Lawrie Sanchez has given his backing to a group of Northern Ireland fans who have set up a supporters' club in London.

Sanchez has accepted an invitation to become honorary president of the group which caters for NI fans in the region.

"As a Londoner, I was delighted to accept," said Sanchez.

"Football is nothing without the fans and the Northern Ireland fans efforts to support the team are really appreciated by myself and the players."

The London NISC was established by a group of fans who met online through the 'Our Wee Country' fanzine.

The club has members from most London boroughs, as well as others from Luton, Bedford, Oxford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes.

London NISC members at their Tower Bridge launch in November

Members travel together to home and away games, and also meet up to watch Premiership, Championship and League games in the capital involving Northern Ireland players.

Lambeth-born Sanchez attended the launch of the London NISC at Tower Bridge on 5 November.

London NISC chairman Neal Anderson, originally from Coleraine, said the supporters were thrilled by Sanchez's backing.

"The fact that the manager has accepted the position of honorary president is a fantastic boost for all London-based Northern Ireland supporters," he said.

"It also demonstrates Lawrie's genuine appreciation of the fans in general, and their ongoing efforts to give bigotry the red card through the Sea of Green initiative."