Sunderland's embarrassed players have offered to refund the cost of tickets for supporters who made the long journey to the south coast only to see their side thrashed 8-0 by Southampton in the Premier League.

More than 2,500 Sunderland fans travelled from the north-east to St Mary's for Saturday's match.

But they will now be able to claim back the £24 ($39, 30 euros) they paid for their tickets or have that sum donated to the Grace House children's hospice in Sunderland instead.

"We win and lose as a team, players, staff and fans," said Sunderland captain John O'Shea.

"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."

Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone first suggested the idea of players refunding fans after repeatedly picking the ball out of the net, twice as a result of own-goals.

The refund is set to cost the players more than £60,000.