Hull City matchwinner Sone Aluko was delighted for manager Steve Bruce after victory at Newcastle United.
Despite his Geordie roots, Bruce has been pilloried by Toon fans for his time in charge of Sunderland.
Aluko said: "He got a lot of stick when he came off the bus today. It was quite funny, I was coming off behind him but I didn't want to laugh too much.
"It was out my mind that he was once Sunderland manager, I'd totally forgotten. When we arrived, Harps came off the bus first and there was a big cheer and I was like 'Oh, ok' and then the gaffer came off next and the noise and abuse was unbelievable. It was back to Rangers and Celtic days, so it was interesting.
"He'd made no mention of it at all in the build-up. I guess it's in the past, he just wanted us to play the way we have playing.
"He needed that to be fair so it was good for him to come here and win."