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An enormous cardboard smile propped against a stadium gate while a faceless player in white is comforted from behind by a figure in dark clothing.
Paper TalkThe High Road Herald

Danso Called Nightmare At Sunderland, So Supporter Props Cardboard Smile Against Stadium Gate Until Further Notice

Philippa Crane · Media Editor · Reading time: one pint

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A Spurs fan website says Kevin Danso is having a nightmare season on loan at Sunderland, who will sign him permanently next summer if they stay up, and the cardboard smile measures four feet across.

A Tottenham man has propped a four-foot cardboard smile against the gates of the stadium after reading that Kevin Danso, on loan at Sunderland, is having a nightmare season.

The Herald understands the smile is a tribute to the defender's big smile, warmth and humility, qualities a Spurs fan website says left supporters with "no choice" but to love him.

The article recalls that Danso joined in January 2025, started ten Premier League games, and played eleven minutes in Bilbao. It adds that Roberto De Zerbi disclosed in August that the defender had asked to leave, after which he went to Sunderland.

The piece reports that Danso was sent off at Bournemouth for pulling down Evanilson, and has started six games on Wearside. Sunderland will make the move permanent next summer if they stay in the Premier League.

The man, who says he did not want Danso sold, informed the turnstile operator of this on arrival.

Nobody wanted him sold. I said so in August. I said it twice, to be safe.

Our correspondent observed that the smile was cut from a washing machine box and was at first mounted upside down, giving the impression of a frown. The man corrected this after eleven minutes.

The stadium is closed on non-match days, no defender is expected, and Sunderland is several hours away by train. The man says that is not the point.

If he does come back, it'll be there. If he doesn't, it'll be there.

The smile is facing the right way up.

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