Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE table_name_8 (attendance INTEGER, season VARCHAR, premiership VARCHAR, runner_up VARCHAR)

### Question ###
If the season is before 2000, the runner up was north melbourne, and it's the pre-season cup, what's the sum of attendees?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT SUM(attendance) FROM table_name_8 WHERE premiership = "pre-season cup" AND runner_up = "north melbourne" AND season < 2000