Black and White Army.

[Pegasus Bridge 0]

This is an article I've had waiting to be finished since May. It was originally for N-O, but I never got round to finishing it, and never will.

 

May aswell post it up. It's grammatically incorrect, but thats because I'm a dumb fucker.

 

Cheers.

 

 

Black and White Army.

 

 

I shuffled my feet and twiddled my thumbs in the cold. It was the 21st of January, a particularly nippy day, and the absence of a coat added to my crestfallen demeanour. Looking around at the downcast expressions amid St James Park, it's getting harder to remember Andy Griffins second half goal against European giants Juventus, especially when we're currently being outplayed by a Blackburn Rovers side that were threatened with relegation only the season before.

A simple definition of tension found on the Internet, reads as follows 'Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups'.

 

That definition could be corresponding to our managerial set-up at the time, but I'm not convinced, in my opinion, it was tension and astriction between our supporters, a strain between our faithful that has assimilated from before Sir Bobby was sacked, and remains to this day.

 

On a day where an opposition player handled a ball into the net, and where our 9.5 million buy was verbally abused for missing an open net, an average team arrived at St James Park, and left with a valuable three points. It was after the match however, that things would get fascinating. After the final whistle, a chorus of boo's rang around St James, and the 'Souness Out' chants that were ever present towards the back end of the 90 minutes commenced. As I stood up in the North-East corner to give my two cents, a quite serious looking supporter told me 'to shut the **** up, and sit the **** down'. Looking around, it was happening everywhere, old blokes and whipper snappers going tooth and nail, a clear division between our fans. As I left the stadia and glanced at a pseudo mob, protesting at the current regime, I saw an equally large mob looking on in disgust at their fellow supporters.

 

 

Newcastle United supporters are labled by the media, as being 'the best in the world'. Great, thats just great, but why are we the best in the world? I asked a few supporters from other teams what they thought of the 'Toon Army' and I got a mixed response.

 

The Outsiders Perspective

 

Steve Sutton, a Manchester United fan, had this to say: ' Rabid fans, full of blind optimism and false hope, and with a good reason too, with all the money the geordies have spent, you would expect to have some sort of trophy at the end of it...'

 

When prompted about our away support Sutton added ' Loud, very loud, even when things are going downhill and fast, Newcastle's away support has always been amazing, you've just got to look at Cardiff, Newcastle United were humilated, but Newcastle United supporters held their heads high, because they support the club and its history, not just its current squad and managerial set-up'

 

Hardly a glowing report, but he does point out a few postives. 'Loud, very loud...' was the feedback when asked about the away support. Not really unique to Newcastle United though is it? No doubt we have loud and passionate away support, but surely thats not enough for the media to label us 'the best in the world'. Another comment that tickled me was ''...even when things go downhill and fast, Newcastles support are always amazing...'. Can that be derived as postive? Our team is getting slaughtered and humilated, but still we clap them off, admirable and loyal, or deluded?

 

Chris Jenkins, a Liverpool fan, had this to say: 'I see alot of qualities in Newcastle fans that I also see in our fans, both sets of fans are demanding, vocal, and the majority have a good base of footballing knowledge.However, in general,Newcastle fans are fickle and impatient. Take a look at the Michael Owen signing last summer, supporters from every team knew Newcastle United were short of players, short of quality and short of a good manager, but thousands paraded at St James, completly deluded, while other supporters, including myself, looked on flabbergasted'

 

What Chris failed to point out, is that the majority of the supporters at St James Park that day, were children. With the school holidays in full swing, you can't blame the young supporters for travelling to St James to park to see the clubs record signing. The more mature and somewhat sensible fans were at home, dreading the season ahead, and rightly so, flabbergasted the back four had not been improved.

 

The last opposition fan I spoke to, was Jason Hewitt, a season ticket holder at Chelsea. I waxed lyrical with Jason after Newcastle had beaten Chelsea 1-0 at St James, and he had this to say.

 

'You won the game. If you had that support in every stadium in the country, you would be the leauge champions, ref's would be scared to put a foot wrong. It's hostile, very hostile, a bad tackle is the definitive way to set your lot ablaze. Take Carr's sending off, after the decision, the stadium went crazy, and really knocked our lads. I'm not being funny here, but you would be pushed to find that atmosphere anywhere else in the Premiership, and most places abroad, it's just a shame it's not always like that'

 

His words were late echoed by Chelsea taskmaster Jose Mourinho who stated "Babayaro's tackle on Robben is a red card in every country, in every division, on every pitch.", indicating referee Mike Riley was influenced from our vocal and clamorous home support.

 

So what can we take from these mini-consultations with the competitors?

 

Pro et contra

 

Pros-

 

Newcastle United fans are vocal.

Newcastle fans have a good sense of footballing knowledge.

Newcastle United have a passionate and faithful away support.

Newcastle supporters can create a breathtaking and hostile atmosphere (key word 'can')

Newcastle United supporters are loyal to the club, with the majority living in and around the area.

 

Cons

 

Newcastle supporters are fickle.

Newcastle supporters are impatient.

Newcastle fans are inconsistent with the level of support at St James, ranging from 'deadly silent' to 'very hostile'

 

 

How do we percieve ourselves?

 

After conversing with the enemies, I turn my attention to the masses closer to home, and I will be getting to grips with what our supporters think of eachother.

At the start of this article, I mentioned a clear division In our own ranks, a division that is still around today,even after our amazing turnaround in February. We all want what is good for the club, but we all have unique ideas and thoughts on how that might be achieved. Newcastle, and the surrounding areas, need Newcastle United.

[Howaythetoon 0]

Too long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pegasus Bridge 0]

Too long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest stevieintoon]

This is an article I've had waiting to be finished since May. It was originally for N-O, but I never got round to finishing it, and never will.

 

May aswell post it up. It's grammatically incorrect, but thats because I'm a dumb fucker.

 

Cheers.

 

 

Black and White Army.

 

 

I shuffled my feet and twiddled my thumbs in the cold. It was the 21st of January, a particularly nippy day, and the absence of a coat added to my crestfallen demeanour. Looking around at the downcast expressions amid St James Park, it's getting harder to remember Andy Griffins second half goal against European giants Juventus, especially when we're currently being outplayed by a Blackburn Rovers side that were threatened with relegation only the season before.

A simple definition of tension found on the Internet, reads as follows 'Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups'.

 

That definition could be corresponding to our managerial set-up at the time, but I'm not convinced, in my opinion, it was tension and astriction between our supporters, a strain between our faithful that has assimilated from before Sir Bobby was sacked, and remains to this day.

 

On a day where an opposition player handled a ball into the net, and where our 9.5 million buy was verbally abused for missing an open net, an average team arrived at St James Park, and left with a valuable three points. It was after the match however, that things would get fascinating. After the final whistle, a chorus of boo's rang around St James, and the 'Souness Out' chants that were ever present towards the back end of the 90 minutes commenced. As I stood up in the North-East corner to give my two cents, a quite serious looking supporter told me 'to shut the **** up, and sit the **** down'. Looking around, it was happening everywhere, old blokes and whipper snappers going tooth and nail, a clear division between our fans. As I left the stadia and glanced at a pseudo mob, protesting at the current regime, I saw an equally large mob looking on in disgust at their fellow supporters.

 

 

Newcastle United supporters are labled by the media, as being 'the best in the world'. Great, thats just great, but why are we the best in the world? I asked a few supporters from other teams what they thought of the 'Toon Army' and I got a mixed response.

 

The Outsiders Perspective

 

Steve Sutton, a Manchester United fan, had this to say: ' Rabid fans, full of blind optimism and false hope, and with a good reason too, with all the money the geordies have spent, you would expect to have some sort of trophy at the end of it...'

 

When prompted about our away support Sutton added ' Loud, very loud, even when things are going downhill and fast, Newcastle's away support has always been amazing, you've just got to look at Cardiff, Newcastle United were humilated, but Newcastle United supporters held their heads high, because they support the club and its history, not just its current squad and managerial set-up'

 

Hardly a glowing report, but he does point out a few postives. 'Loud, very loud...' was the feedback when asked about the away support. Not really unique to Newcastle United though is it? No doubt we have loud and passionate away support, but surely thats not enough for the media to label us 'the best in the world'. Another comment that tickled me was ''...even when things go downhill and fast, Newcastles support are always amazing...'. Can that be derived as postive? Our team is getting slaughtered and humilated, but still we clap them off, admirable and loyal, or deluded?

 

Chris Jenkins, a Liverpool fan, had this to say: 'I see alot of qualities in Newcastle fans that I also see in our fans, both sets of fans are demanding, vocal, and the majority have a good base of footballing knowledge.However, in general,Newcastle fans are fickle and impatient. Take a look at the Michael Owen signing last summer, supporters from every team knew Newcastle United were short of players, short of quality and short of a good manager, but thousands paraded at St James, completly deluded, while other supporters, including myself, looked on flabbergasted'

 

What Chris failed to point out, is that the majority of the supporters at St James Park that day, were children. With the school holidays in full swing, you can't blame the young supporters for travelling to St James to park to see the clubs record signing. The more mature and somewhat sensible fans were at home, dreading the season ahead, and rightly so, flabbergasted the back four had not been improved.

 

The last opposition fan I spoke to, was Jason Hewitt, a season ticket holder at Chelsea. I waxed lyrical with Jason after Newcastle had beaten Chelsea 1-0 at St James, and he had this to say.

 

'You won the game. If you had that support in every stadium in the country, you would be the leauge champions, ref's would be scared to put a foot wrong. It's hostile, very hostile, a bad tackle is the definitive way to set your lot ablaze. Take Carr's sending off, after the decision, the stadium went crazy, and really knocked our lads. I'm not being funny here, but you would be pushed to find that atmosphere anywhere else in the Premiership, and most places abroad, it's just a shame it's not always like that'

 

His words were late echoed by Chelsea taskmaster Jose Mourinho who stated "Babayaro's tackle on Robben is a red card in every country, in every division, on every pitch.", indicating referee Mike Riley was influenced from our vocal and clamorous home support.

 

So what can we take from these mini-consultations with the competitors?

 

Pro et contra

 

Pros-

 

Newcastle United fans are vocal.

Newcastle fans have a good sense of footballing knowledge.

Newcastle United have a passionate and faithful away support.

Newcastle supporters can create a breathtaking and hostile atmosphere (key word 'can')

Newcastle United supporters are loyal to the club, with the majority living in and around the area.

 

Cons

 

Newcastle supporters are fickle.

Newcastle supporters are impatient.

Newcastle fans are inconsistent with the level of support at St James, ranging from 'deadly silent' to 'very hostile'

 

 

How do we percieve ourselves?

 

After conversing with the enemies, I turn my attention to the masses closer to home, and I will be getting to grips with what our supporters think of eachother.

At the start of this article, I mentioned a clear division In our own ranks, a division that is still around today,even after our amazing turnaround in February. We all want what is good for the club, but we all have unique ideas and thoughts on how that might be achieved. Newcastle, and the surrounding areas, need Newcastle United.

One of the few long pieces I've read on here or N/O, mentioning no names, where when I've got to the end I not only enjoyed the read, but wanted more.

[Geordie Boot Girl 0]

This is an article I've had waiting to be finished since May. It was originally for N-O, but I never got round to finishing it, and never will.

 

May aswell post it up. It's grammatically incorrect, but thats because I'm a dumb fucker.

 

Cheers.

 

 

Black and White Army.

 

 

I shuffled my feet and twiddled my thumbs in the cold. It was the 21st of January, a particularly nippy day, and the absence of a coat added to my crestfallen demeanour. Looking around at the downcast expressions amid St James Park, it's getting harder to remember Andy Griffins second half goal against European giants Juventus, especially when we're currently being outplayed by a Blackburn Rovers side that were threatened with relegation only the season before.

A simple definition of tension found on the Internet, reads as follows 'Barely controlled hostility or a strained relationship between people or groups'.

 

That definition could be corresponding to our managerial set-up at the time, but I'm not convinced, in my opinion, it was tension and astriction between our supporters, a strain between our faithful that has assimilated from before Sir Bobby was sacked, and remains to this day.

 

On a day where an opposition player handled a ball into the net, and where our 9.5 million buy was verbally abused for missing an open net, an average team arrived at St James Park, and left with a valuable three points. It was after the match however, that things would get fascinating. After the final whistle, a chorus of boo's rang around St James, and the 'Souness Out' chants that were ever present towards the back end of the 90 minutes commenced. As I stood up in the North-East corner to give my two cents, a quite serious looking supporter told me 'to shut the **** up, and sit the **** down'. Looking around, it was happening everywhere, old blokes and whipper snappers going tooth and nail, a clear division between our fans. As I left the stadia and glanced at a pseudo mob, protesting at the current regime, I saw an equally large mob looking on in disgust at their fellow supporters.

 

 

Newcastle United supporters are labled by the media, as being 'the best in the world'. Great, thats just great, but why are we the best in the world? I asked a few supporters from other teams what they thought of the 'Toon Army' and I got a mixed response.

 

The Outsiders Perspective

 

Steve Sutton, a Manchester United fan, had this to say: ' Rabid fans, full of blind optimism and false hope, and with a good reason too, with all the money the geordies have spent, you would expect to have some sort of trophy at the end of it...'

 

When prompted about our away support Sutton added ' Loud, very loud, even when things are going downhill and fast, Newcastle's away support has always been amazing, you've just got to look at Cardiff, Newcastle United were humilated, but Newcastle United supporters held their heads high, because they support the club and its history, not just its current squad and managerial set-up'

 

Hardly a glowing report, but he does point out a few postives. 'Loud, very loud...' was the feedback when asked about the away support. Not really unique to Newcastle United though is it? No doubt we have loud and passionate away support, but surely thats not enough for the media to label us 'the best in the world'. Another comment that tickled me was ''...even when things go downhill and fast, Newcastles support are always amazing...'. Can that be derived as postive? Our team is getting slaughtered and humilated, but still we clap them off, admirable and loyal, or deluded?

 

Chris Jenkins, a Liverpool fan, had this to say: 'I see alot of qualities in Newcastle fans that I also see in our fans, both sets of fans are demanding, vocal, and the majority have a good base of footballing knowledge.However, in general,Newcastle fans are fickle and impatient. Take a look at the Michael Owen signing last summer, supporters from every team knew Newcastle United were short of players, short of quality and short of a good manager, but thousands paraded at St James, completly deluded, while other supporters, including myself, looked on flabbergasted'

 

What Chris failed to point out, is that the majority of the supporters at St James Park that day, were children. With the school holidays in full swing, you can't blame the young supporters for travelling to St James to park to see the clubs record signing. The more mature and somewhat sensible fans were at home, dreading the season ahead, and rightly so, flabbergasted the back four had not been improved.

 

The last opposition fan I spoke to, was Jason Hewitt, a season ticket holder at Chelsea. I waxed lyrical with Jason after Newcastle had beaten Chelsea 1-0 at St James, and he had this to say.

 

'You won the game. If you had that support in every stadium in the country, you would be the leauge champions, ref's would be scared to put a foot wrong. It's hostile, very hostile, a bad tackle is the definitive way to set your lot ablaze. Take Carr's sending off, after the decision, the stadium went crazy, and really knocked our lads. I'm not being funny here, but you would be pushed to find that atmosphere anywhere else in the Premiership, and most places abroad, it's just a shame it's not always like that'

 

His words were late echoed by Chelsea taskmaster Jose Mourinho who stated "Babayaro's tackle on Robben is a red card in every country, in every division, on every pitch.", indicating referee Mike Riley was influenced from our vocal and clamorous home support.

 

So what can we take from these mini-consultations with the competitors?

 

Pro et contra

 

Pros-

 

Newcastle United fans are vocal.

Newcastle fans have a good sense of footballing knowledge.

Newcastle United have a passionate and faithful away support.

Newcastle supporters can create a breathtaking and hostile atmosphere (key word 'can')

Newcastle United supporters are loyal to the club, with the majority living in and around the area.

 

Cons

 

Newcastle supporters are fickle.

Newcastle supporters are impatient.

Newcastle fans are inconsistent with the level of support at St James, ranging from 'deadly silent' to 'very hostile'

 

 

How do we percieve ourselves?

 

After conversing with the enemies, I turn my attention to the masses closer to home, and I will be getting to grips with what our supporters think of eachother.

At the start of this article, I mentioned a clear division In our own ranks, a division that is still around today,even after our amazing turnaround in February. We all want what is good for the club, but we all have unique ideas and thoughts on how that might be achieved. Newcastle, and the surrounding areas, need Newcastle United.

One of the few long pieces I've read on here or N/O, mentioning no names, where when I've got to the end I not only enjoyed the read, but wanted more.

 

i second that -

 

i used to love the prospect of a cup game - especially the FA cup - the atmosphere up at SJP used to be jumping with the fans who cant for one reason or another could get to the game- but last nite and games of late it was worse than pathetic - wat does booing ya team at half time do - NOTHING - I tried on numerous occasions to cary on the singing level seven had started - but just got looks of disgust from the so called the loyalist supporters the world has ever had.

 

[Guest alex]

Good post like, have to agree with the sentiment there.