ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Newcastle United

Posted by Marc Duffy on 11/03/2011

More and more we are hearing about overseas fans of the Premier League and La Liga. Numbers are growing in football's 'emerging markets' throughout the world with unprecedented interest from the USA, Malaysia, China and more.

Liverpool chairman Ian Ayre recently commented that his club would like an end to the collective funding agreement in which all Premier League clubs benefit from an 'equal share of the pot' - he would like Liverpool (and all other clubs) to go their separate ways in terms of individually negotiating TV deals in foreign markets. Thankfully this was met with outrage from senior officials in the English game and it is believed that the other Premier League power-houses have distanced themselves from Ayre's comments.

This comes not too long after the Premier League bandied about the idea of 'the 39th game' - a possible additional game for each Premier League club in the domestic season to be played overseas - a larger scale version of what the NFL have been doing in London this past four or five years or the Italian's in the Beijing Super Cup.

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This coming Sunday Real Madrid face Osasuna in a match that kicks off at 12.00 noon - something that Madrid are keen on pushing, including for el Clasico's, in order to benefit from the Asian TV market.

Football is changing - is it for the better or worse? Will this hinder the development of the domestic game within the emerging markets? How will China ever grow their own league and national team if the people are only interested in watching what Europe has to offer? Or will it raise the game to an all time high in terms of profile and attract more young people to play the game, therefore having a positive impact?

The MLS seems to be going from strength to strength and I often communicate with a number of Stateside NUFC fans on here and through Twitter. Those chats plus all of the above left me wondering what it must be like to support and love a football club from afar. I was born in Newcastle and live four or five miles from St James's Park - it dawned on me that I take that fact for granted. What would it be like if I couldn't go?

This week I caught up with Robert Schwoch and Tom Ziemer from www.newcastleunited.us (you may know them as @NUFC_US on Twitter) to find out exactly what it is like. Great guys. Enjoy:

Q. How did you get into football?

Bob: My mother is from Italy; one of my earliest sports memories is watching Serie A on fuzzy black-and-white TV in the ’60s with my cousins in the little hilltop village in Umbria where my family is from. I’m a huge fan of the Italian national team, I support Roma, and I’ve been watching Italian football for years via satellite on RAI. I came to the Premier League more recently with the advent of regularly televised matches here on ESPN and the Fox soccer channels. English football is more exciting these days than Serie A, and Newcastle has surpassed Roma in my affections. But I’ve still never seen an English or Italian match in person.

Tom: I played (not particularly well) as a youngster in the mid-90s and half-heartedly followed MLS during its first few years, but soccer really slipped off my radar until the 2002 World Cup. The U.S. made the quarterfinals that year, which gave me a reason to watch and helped reignite my interest in the sport. I started watching Premier League and Champions League games a few years later when I got to college and have been battling the addiction ever since.

Q. Why Newcastle?

Tom: Most American fans tend to support Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool because they're on TV the most.

Bob: Also, most American fans are total plastic glory-hunting bandwagon-jumpers.

Tom: When I first started watching the Premier League, I kept an eye on both Arsenal and Chelsea. But I've never been one to root for the frontrunner, so I quickly ditched those two once I learned a bit more about English football. I didn't have a club team for a couple years - my main interest was the U.S. national team - until I learned that my girlfriend (now my wife) had been to a Newcastle match while studying abroad in Alnwick. So I figured it might be a mutual interest for us (I've since realized she isn't as consumed by soccer as I am).

Bob: No one on earth is as consumed by soccer as Tom is.

Tom: The more I read about Newcastle and watched its games, the stronger the connection felt. I grew up less than an hour away from Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Packers, so I could identify with Newcastle fans living in the northern part of their country and only caring about one team.

Bob: I identified with Newcastle almost instantly when English matches hit TV here. As Tom said, Newcastle is a natural for a Packer fan: a northern town, distant from the major population centres, associated with beer, famous for the devotion of the fans. That may be one reason we have a disproportionately large handful of Newcastle fans here in Wisconsin. I fell in fast with that crowd in the soccer pub near my house. They were the least pretentious and most fun. Newcastle fans looking for an NFL club to follow should consider Green Bay – they’d feel right at home, except that in terms of trophies, the Packers are the equivalent of Manchester United.

Q: What are the benefits to being an overseas fan? The drawbacks?

Tom: I think the benefits have increased as technology has improved. We're now able to get any Premier League game, whether it's on TV or on the Internet (and I'm not talking about pirated streams). English fans aren't as lucky in that regard. We're also able to stay up to date on news and rumours thanks to the bevy of online sources.

The separation also sometimes allows overseas fans here to form purely rational opinions. When you're close to the situation, it's hard not to be blinded by emotion. Of course, sometimes that's more fun.

The biggest drawback is obvious: It's much harder for us to attend games. And, while the popularity of soccer is rising in the U.S., knowledgeable English Premier League fans, let alone Newcastle supporters, aren't that common. We connect through mediums like Twitter, but it's not quite the same as speaking in person.

Bob: This is going to sound like a joke, but I’m serious – I like that the matches are over before anyone knows you’ve been gone. Some Americans would view the time difference as a drawback, and it can be rather difficult when Newcastle plays a lunchtime game in England and we’re dragging ourselves out to the TV or into a pub at 6 a.m. But it preserves most of Saturday or Sunday to be with the real world.

Other than that I’ll echo what Tom said. Our blog has become popular in part because we have a slightly more rational perspective being so far from the madness; English readers tell us that all the time. But I’m aching to get to Newcastle and St. James’ Park, especially after the U.S. tour this past summer, when we met so many Geordies and felt so at home with that crowd. It really validated Newcastle as having been the right pick as “my” club.

Q: How far can soccer go in America? How big is the potential and will we ever see the U.S. win the World Cup?

Tom: The potential is obvious, given the U.S.'s size and economic standing. To me, though, it's a question of mentality. The U.S. national team has developed into a respectable side, but it's never played with the sort of flair that's required to reach elite status. I tend to think that's a direct result of the structured manner in which youth sports are organized here. Unless the U.S. starts to produce a handful of creative and technically gifted players, I can't see it winning a World Cup. And while the U.S. does have resources, it's not as if countries like Spain, Germany and Italy are going to stop supporting their national teams anytime soon.

Bob: The potential is gigantic, but I think it depends more on MLS than the national team. Soccer won’t attract or retain the maximum talent pool here until there’s something bigger to aspire to – until people pay attention to soccer more than once every four years. I used to coach youth baseball, and my teams would lose lots of players to soccer because it was more fun to play, more democratic, with everyone involved and not so much standing around. But the more talented kids tended to stick with baseball. They had major-league dreams. That’s why MLS took that name. It has to keep growing into that name. When American kids start dreaming of being a hero for the Red Bulls like they dream of being a hero for the Yankees, that’s when we’ll see American soccer really contend internationally.

Thanks fellas.

I know that a lot of you reading this are overseas fans. Please feel free to share your thoughts, experiences and stories in the comments box below (though you might have to forgive me if it takes a few days to publish the comments as I am off to that Real Madrid game that I mentioned this weekend!)

Follow me on Twitter @MarcSDuffy

Comments

Posted by Jesper on 11/03/2011

That is funny, Toon fan here and yes, I always felt that the Packers was something special with the devotion it must take to keep a NFL team in a town of that size.

Posted by Brian on 11/03/2011

I gravitated toward Newcastle after hitting local pubs and meeting fans on game days. The Toon Army NYC boys were the loudest/cleverest/nicest group of guys I met.

It also seems funny to say, but the lack of coverage of soccer actually draws me to it. Certain "US Sports Channels" are so in your face with news and information (most of it pointless drivel). I honestly get burnt out sometimes. It's nice to follow a sport at my own pace, or watch a game without every play being broken down by commentators (like the NFL).

I played soccer from kindergarten through high school and still play 8v8 outdoors. I understand the game enough to not need it forced on me 24/7. I follow people on twitter and blogs to keep up with news.

Posted by karl on 11/03/2011

I am a die hard newcastle fan from newcastle. but its always funny how two sets of fans and teams from two separate countrys can draw in the similar type. i am a green bay fan cause of the fans and the geography also pulled me to them. after reading this i feel a trip to green bay to see the packers and the toon fans in Wisconsin is a must.

Posted by Alex on 11/04/2011

I am a die-hard fan of NUFC since 1992 (when I was twelve!) from Singapore. We have quite an ardent following here, and even have our own local NUFCSG team.

Every day, several times each day, without fail, I will read news articles about NUFC, be it nonsensical ramblings or legit official statements. I (and each and everyone of you Geordies and adopted Geordies) have seen the ups and downs (more often downs) of the team, and have always stood up for the team during meal-time talks with the fans of other teams.

Unfortunately, I have only been to SJP in my dreams, though I hope to go there when I am semi-retired. My brother (studying in Leeds) have promised to go there on my behalf one of these days (after winter) to be my 'eyes' and absorb the culture of it all.

HWTL
Alex

Posted by Andrew on 11/04/2011

I love my Newcastle story! At a college party my sophomore year, the keg was kicked so we raided the fridge and found a few Newcastle Brown Ales. We went out back and enjoyed the brews.
The next morning I looked up this magical drink, and during my search, I came across NUFC. I thought, "Holy cow! There's a soccer team named after a beer!" I eventually figured out the truth, but after finding out about how diehard the fans are, I knew this was the club for me.
My first NUFC jersey was bought in Bermuda for cheap just after they were relegated. That was disappointing, the team I choose drops off just two years later. The upside was most matches being on ESPN3 so I got to know the players and the team.
Now that they're back and doing well, I'm glad I stuck with them. I have grown to hate Ashley, and love that even at away matches, the Toon Army is loudest. I thought the stolen beer was karma when they dropped, but this was all meant to be. Howay the Lads!

Posted by OHurley on 11/04/2011

I'm a mags supporter from Tennessee. I'm on nufcblog.co.uk regularly with a couple of other fellow Yanks, but I gotta say, its cool to find some of MY countrymen writing about the team we all love. Good read, guys!

Great start to the season and let's pull for 3 points on the weekend!!

HWTL

Posted by Friendri on 11/04/2011

A die-hard and fanatic Newcastle fan here from Indonesia but currently working in Singapore. Been supporting Newcastle ever since 95-96 season. The first Newcastle game that I watched [on telly] was against Wimbledon and we drew 3-3. One of the lowest moments in my life when we got relegated during 08-09 season. I didn't mutter a single word to anyone that day. My word came crumbling down. Howay the Lads!

Posted by fiezzy on 11/04/2011

Im fiezzy and come from Malaysia.Im die hard fan of Magpies since 1993.Im actually so regret about one thing.In July 1993,Newcastle, Chelsea and Birmingham had come to my country as to compete in FA Premier League Asia Cup.This is huge opportunity for me to meet my heros lively in front of me.=) However,in that period of the tournament,Im must sitting my university examination.Huhu!So,until now,Im still hoping that Newcastle United will come again to Malaysia and make a friendly match with Malaysian national team.

HWTL!!

Posted by Darren Grant-Hall on 11/04/2011

I was born in Newcastle, and brought up in Chopwell just outside Newcastle for my first 5 years, since then I've lived in London, Birmingham and now Bristol, being not particually well off, I've only seen Newcastle play away from home, from the home stand with glares thrown my way.

Then of course, being virtually the only Newcastle fan in some rather large secondary and primary schools, It's an odd thing to be bullied about, but especially in Bristol (where Bristol 'suck' so Man UTD, Chelsea, Arsenal fans instead)

Huge respect for the loyalty and dedication of all of the foreign Newcastle fans who stood by us as we got relegated! HWTL

Posted by CC on 11/04/2011

Toon fan from Singapore here! Supported the clubs since 1996 I do wonder how it would be like to be a fan in Tyneside, where most people around support the only one team. Here in Singapore Ive been living in the shadows of ManU Liverpool and Chelsea Arsenal fans most of the time :(

Posted by Andy on 11/04/2011

I was an exchange student in Finland in 1997 and loved to watch sports, but couldn't tune into any American professional leagues due to my host-family having merely 3 channels. So I watched a Premiership match involving Newcastle and Wimbledon. I liked the way Newcastle played and needed a team to support if I was going to get into the English league. Little did I know how perfect this team would be for me. I'm a Browns, Indians, and Cavs fan so picking another trophy-starved team was only natural!

Since then, I've traveled to SJP a number of times and even made a trip to Ukraine from Ohio to watch a Champions' League clash with Dinamo Kiev. Things are a bit easier now as I teach English in Poland and budget airlines make trips to Geordieland a lot cheaper!

Posted by Brett on 11/04/2011

NUFC supporter from Australia! Lived in Newcastle (UK) when I was a kid (from 1994 - 1997). Then moved back to Australia and began to rekindle my interest in 2005/6 when I was at high school! Obsessed ever since and really keen to go back to Newcastle some time soon! Have only been to one match (but what a match it was - 5-0 vs Man Utd!), one of the most enjoyable days of my life!

The biggest challenge to supporting Newcastle in Australia is the time difference. 3pm matches are on at 1:30 in the morning! But it makes it even more worthwhile when the lads play well! 3-2 vs tottenham at white hart lane and 5-1 over sunderland spring to mind!!

Posted by Joseph Dello Stritto on 11/04/2011

I have been a Newcastle UTD supporter since the 97-98 season. I am from Pittsburgh, PA. My interest started in the club with watching Shearer on the national team in the mid-90's. Found out he went to NUFC and started to follow them. Also, silly as it may, the sponsor was Newcastle Brown Ale, which was, and still is, one of my favourite beers. Also felt some small connection being from a small hard working northeastern city, along with the similarities with the bridges and river(s). Tyne in Newcastle, Allegheny, Monogahela and Ohio in Pittsburgh. Both being industrail towns too at one point that took a downfall in the second half of the last century. That is what drew me to them, and I haven't looked back since. Will rise early tomorrow to watch them take down Everton!

Posted by Tony on 11/04/2011

Cheers Marc. Toon fan from Boston, MA area here. Love the blog. As someone who doesn't have the opportunity to catch games in person the local viewpoint and your thoughts on the atmosphere are most appreciated. Keep up the good work!

Posted by Manny on 11/04/2011

Lifelong Packer fan from New York and recently a die-hard Newcastle fan.

I became a Newcastle Fan when they were in the championship. I spent 3 months in England studying in York. Before then I had never seen a soccer game. I got a girlfriend who was a geordie and had a few rugby mates that were big Newcastle Supporters. So we went and saw the home match vs Swansea which was won 3-0. After that I was hooked.

When I got back to Albany, NY I was surprised to find out there was a decent size Newcastle following. There's always a good crowd at a certain bar when they're on TV. I'm currently working on getting my friends and family to support newcastle. Arsenal is always on TV though so it's kinda tough.

Posted by Barbarossa on 11/04/2011

I've been a NUFC supporter since late 1999/early 2000. (I'm a long way away, in San Antonio, Texas.)I remember watching a EPL highlights show that came on every Sunday evening. This was after Sir Bobby had already taken over, and Shearer was in the middle of a 23 goal season. I remember watching Shearer: he was a tough competitor, strong, a team player, and humble, too. I loved his "one-hand in the air" goal celebration: it was understated, just like he was as a man. From that 99-00 season, I've thrown my full, unwavering support behind Newcastle. There's been some pretty low lows, but there have been some good times too. Howay the lads!

Posted by Shep on 11/04/2011

Die hard member of the Toon Army since Jan 1990. While visiting my girlfriend's family (now my wife), I attended my first match - standing on the old terraces at the Gallowgate End. The atmosphere was incredible! Newcastle beat Leicester that day 5-4 and I was hooked. Have been to a number of matches since, the best so far was the '98 FA Cup semifinal when the lads beat Sheffield United 1-0. Unfortunately, couldn't finish the job at Wembley. My friends think I am crazy when I tell them I would rather go to an EPL match over any American professional sporting event. Hoping to catch a match when we visit the UK over the holidays - based on dates, only options are Bolton away or Liverpool away.
Pulling for 3 more points this Saturday. Howay the Lads!

Posted by A.J. on 11/04/2011

I started rooting for ManU in the early 2000s because that's all we could see in the States, but realized I was rooting for the NY Yankees/Dallas Cowboys of the EPL. I didn't want that, I'm from Wisconsin just like Tom and Bob and our devotion to small-market teams like the Packers or Milwaukee Brewers is unquestionable, so I started looking for a new team who couldn't just buy a championship.

Much like the post earlier by Andrew, I found my love of Newcastle at a college bar with my friends when I found my favorite beer (Brown Ale of course!). Over the past 4 years, I've found the devotion to NUFC from its fans is what I've known for years as a Packers fan and my love has grown to the point where it is one of my lifelong goals to attend a match as St. James' Park! It is awesome to see the similarities to our professional Wisconsin teams here and I know I have picked a team to root for for life!

P.S. - Really looking forward to the next ManCity match! (whom my brother supports)

Posted by Aaron on 11/04/2011

I too am a avid supporter of Newcastle United and currently reside in California. For a litany of reasons I elected to support NUFC but through thick (relegation) and thin (now and future?) I don't regret a minute. I wake up most Saturdays to watch us play, but must admit I do miss a few. Anyways, just showing the support!

Posted by max on 11/04/2011

I'm from NYC, but my father is from Newcastle (Gateshead to be precise) and I've been there 4-5 times in my life. In 2008 I had the great fortune to see them play Man City at SJP. To my dismay City came from behind to level the game at a 2-2 draw, but the bracing air that wafted through that park will stay with me till my last days. Anyone that makes it up to the Tyneside must drop in on the giant subsidized beer hall next to the stadium before they drop into SJP...it's bone dry!

Posted by Max on 11/04/2011

Hey guys. I'm a die hard born in Boston. I became a Newcastle fan probably six or seven years ago and then, wouldn't you know it, my cousin married a guy from Newcastle who happened to be Stevie Stone's cousin! Who knew right?

Also, I noticed a lot of people talking about Wisconsin and I actually just moved to Wisco last week in the Madison area. I'm looking for some pubs to watch games and haven't found any yet. Anybody know any good spots to watch games in the Madison area?

Posted by Mithun on 11/04/2011

Toon fan from India. My only aim till date is to finish my studies. Get a job. Make money to see "a" game at St James Park. After that hit the pub at Big Market ? :)

Posted by Mike on 11/04/2011

Everton fan here from the US.
Loved this piece..would like to share my story about supporting from afar.
First game watching was the huge 6-1 loss to Arsenal a few years back on opening day..even though it was an awful showing, I felt some connection to Everton and decided to keep watching. Haven't missed a game since that hasn't been on some (legal) medium or another. I'm a sophomore in college now and its terrific being able to support something that's not connected to your everyday life. I love waking up every Saturday morning and being able to flip on the tele or my computer and having that feeling that for the next 90 minutes, nothing else matters. It's just me and Everton for the next 90 minutes. It's fantastic that the technology has progressed so that I can sit from thousands of miles away, in a small USA dorm room decked out with Everton flags and posters, and watch a match. Massive respect for NUFC as well, and here's hoping we get a cracker of a match tomorrow.

Cheers

Posted by alan gordon on 11/04/2011

WE live in Sacramento, California. Became a Magpies fan becasue I have a friend who teaches at Newcastle University. Brought my son, 9 at the time, over for a visit. We attended a game at Saint James and were hooked. While most American kids have baseball and American football banners in their room his was decked with a NUFC flag and an Allan Shearer shirt.

My son loved Newcastle so much so that this year he enrolled at NU and was signed to play for Hebburn Rey Rolle.

Posted by Andrew on 11/04/2011

Another great piece here Marc. Being a Mag in Australia keeps a large part of my week busy trawling the net for news. My Newcastle story came from a chance viewing of some highlights seeing us smack about 6 past Spurs around 96-97 (you might be able to confirm this!)when we were flying high under Keegan. Most Aussies tend to just get on the MU bandwagon but if they knew any players who have played for the club other than Beckham and Ronaldo I would be very surprised. I admit I miss some of the finer points associated with Newcastle(Sunderland - I know they suck, but where did this come from?)and it would be great to be able to run into someone down the pub and chat about the Toon. There is a supporters group in Melbourne who catch up to watch games which I am planning to attend(I live a bit far away at the moment). But I am enjoying this season - and hopefully plan on enjoying many more. A massive part of my life that keeps me busy! HTL!

Posted by Justin on 11/04/2011

I got really into soccer around the 2002 World Cup, as well. Started following the Premier League around 2007 and started off as a Chelsea fan. After realizing they are much like the Yankees, I knew I had to make a switch. I'm from Los Angeles but I'm not a Lakers fan (Clippers!) not a Dodgers fan (Angels!) so I can definitely get behind the smaller market, less popular team like NUFC. I've been a NUFC fan since I saw the movie "Goal!" a few years back. After seeing that movie I knew NUFC was for me. Very excited that they're doing well and I can watch them on ESPN3 and FSC. I'm an NUFC supporter in FIFA 12 as well!

Posted by Carl on 11/04/2011

Hi Marc. This is a nice read. I'm actually a US City fan (since 2004, so I had to live through Stuart Pearce) and I'm lucky enough to be able to get to Manchester once or twice a year for matches. I picked them because I love Manchester, underdogs (when City was one) and Richard Dunne. Tom and Bob are right; ESPN and Fox Soccer Channel plus the internet (Fox Soccer.tv) have begun to finally swell the ranks of more-than-casual PL fans here. Pubs are more full of non-transplants; message boards are growing in US-based posts. MLS is beginning to sell out 64K seat stadiums. I think the continual action, simplicity and familiarization with soccer through youth leagues is beginning to take hold now that regular distribution of the product through the networks is here. Soccer has finally (and after many false starts) truly arrived as a spectator sport in the States. Congrats on NUFC's great performance this year -- love to see you finish second :)

Posted by Ryan on 11/05/2011

I'm a NUFC follower from Portland, Oregon USA. I've been a staunch Newcastle fan since Sir Bobby Robson was the gaffer. I was mainly fascinated with the scoring of Alan Shearer, but I quickly fell in love with the team and the fans even with all the drama surrounding the previous and present owner. This year the Timbers celebrated their innaugural season in MLS. Our coach John Spencer(Chelsea and Rangers)and the boys did us proud. Every game is sold out at 19,000 and our fans(who also travel across the country)are known as the "Timbers Army". When NUFC did their US tour I was hoping they would come to Portland because the two cities are very similar in that there are limited professional sports in this area and the rabid soccer fans that have been here for over 35 years since the old NASL days when we had the likes of a young man named Peter Withe as our star forward in 1975. Whenever Newcastle are on TV I have to reserve it and get on my kit and scarf to watch. Howay the Lads!

Posted by biggy on 11/05/2011

I'm from the philippines and I've been following newcastle for almost 5 years now. But my link with newcastle takes me back 15 years ago when i bought a newcastle jersey in hongkong. I had no idea what the team was about that time but about 6 years ago, i started watching soccer matches again n started following the EPL and Newcastle. Really gets hard to connect with other fans here since others tend to watch other clubs like manchester united, chelsea or liverpool. Its been quite a ride, hopefully this season would prove to be the best one we had since I started wtching newcastle again. Howay the Lads!

Posted by Amirul on 11/05/2011

A Newcastle fan here from Malaysia currently studying in America. I can't remember when I started supporting this club (guessing somewhere before 2007) but the 4-4 comeback being down from 4-0 halftime at Arsenal is a game stuck in my head till today. A game that also made me feel this is the club for me.

Now I'm wearing the shirt every Wednesday to campus to promote the club here in my university, in hoping that one day to finally able to go to St James Park cheering my heart out for the team.

Posted by Reeve on 11/05/2011

Newcastle fan from Arizona, originally from San Francisco though. Got into it sophomore year in high school, because of my friends from Italy, Croatia and Australia, and the Aussie guy also is a big supporter of the San Jose Earthquakes and US National team. I chose Newcastle because I liked Alan Shearer, Nobby Solano, and Shay Given. I have also followed my family tree of national teams, those being Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and Germany. I can't get enough of the beautiful game and especially Newcastle, and to a lesser extent my "second" team, FC Basel.

Posted by Marvin Hernandez on 11/05/2011

I am a die-hard fanatic of Newcastle United from Miami, Florida, U.S. My story of how I became to know this club is pretty funny. I grew idolizing Real Madrid in the late to early 2000's because that was the great team of that time and still is. But always felt there was more.

Soccer was at the bottom of my list when it came to sports, and it wasn't until I was in the Military where I met others that love this sport, I grew to actually love it so much that I bought FIFA 05 on PS2 and choose a team in England to play with that were not the same old same old that every band wagon jumping likes, it happened to be Newcastle United, and the rest is history so to speak.

I soon found myself looking for more information about this team, looking for matches to watch on TV, reading about the culture and overall submerge myself as much as I could. I love the team, love the people, SJP, the climate, the culture, the passion, whether you true Geordie know it or not, it is contagious!

Cheers!

Posted by m6886 on 11/05/2011

US based toon fan. From New Orleans (and i'd have to argue there are more similarities with the Saints than the Packers, which you said correctly are the ManU of the NFL). I've never gravitated towards front-runners (*check NO saints record over the years!) and I'd watched the EPL since 99-00 and never picked a team until the next year. I was actually, initially, not drawn to Newcastle at all....their strip was hideous i thought and SBR, based on a few initial interviews I saw, seemed as amicable as the nun who used to belt us in elementary school...how wrong I was. The day I knew support had transcended to passion was Alan Shearer's extra time strike against Everton in maybe 2001 or 2002, full volley, 25 yards out, a thing of beauty.
I work seasonally in the fishing industry in Alaska so combined with inane working hours, waking up at 2am to watch the boys after only two hours of sleep only to get back to work after the match, it definitely has evolved into a labor of love. HWTL

Posted by Andrew southern on 11/05/2011

Good read.

My dad is originally from Newcastle and his family all still live in that area so I have always only had one team to pull for. Granted, I have never been as dedicated to following the sport as I am say college football or the NFL, I have always kept an eye on the game. I've been able to catch at least 5 or so NUFC games on TV this season, typically on Fox Soccer Channel but also on ESPN.

While visiting family in Newcastle last year I went to the game against Arsenal when they came back from 0-4 to draw 4-4. Incredible experience, St. James Park was electric! Not a bad time to go to my first NUFC game eh? ;)

Thanks for the article.

Posted by Max on 11/06/2011

I've been a Newcastle fan for about 15 years or so. I was born in India, grew up in Canada and now living in Australia. All these countries have their own sport that they love more. I like them too but soccer is different. I live and breathe Newcastle United. When I see other NUFC fans i can tell the passion that they have for the club. I don't think Man U supporters or Liverpool supporters feel the same. Ever other Tom, Dick and Harry supports those team. So there is nothing special about the way they feel about their team. I know when a Newcastle supporter reads this, they will know exactly what i mean. one day i will visit England and will make my way to St.James but until then I have to confined my self to local pubs and rely on local Magpie meets.

Posted by OWEN on 11/06/2011

I love newcastle for 10 years! i am from china,21 years old

Posted by thanasilan on 11/06/2011

i m newcastle die hard fan,, watching each game since newcastle beat MU 5-0 in 1996. however, i became the topic among my friends since i rarely meet any newcastle fan along my career!! whatever happens, newcastle rocks!! shearer rocks!!

Posted by Syam Ace on 11/06/2011

Howay the lads...
Reading all the comments made me want to share my thoughts also. We here in Malaysia have quite a number of NUFC supporters & we called ourself the Toon Army Malaysia (TAM for short).
I had followed the TOON starting from the day Shearer joined his hometown club Newcastle United and during that time I followed the club ups & downs. I have no regret supporting NUFC and will always be a Toon Army till the rest of my life.
Like all the supporters out there, I also wish to be in the SJP stadium one day together with my fellow TAM and cheering the team. Hope that day will come. SJP! wait for our arrival..... Howay The Lads...

Posted by Brent on 11/06/2011

I'm a Toon supporter from NY, I became a fan just a couple years ago. I had been a casual fan of the EPL beforehand, but had no favorite team until my girlfriend and I went to Newcastle University for our masters degrees, and we lived on Gallowgate, so we had a fantastic view of St James' Park from our stairwell. We could hear all the singing and chanting through the vent in our bathroom, and it was impossible not to fall for the club when you see the thousands and thousands of black and white clad fans streaming by your window every match day.

Our first match we attended was the day NUFC clinched the return to the Premier League, and our last match was the 6-0 match against Aston Villa in the first home game of the Premier League season. Shortly after that we returned here to NY, but I still follow the team as much as I did there. I can't wait to someday get back to Newcastle and attend another match.

Go Toon!

Posted by fendyoasis on 11/06/2011

In Malaysia, most people were here are fans of the top 4, but not me when i decide to pick a team to love 20 years ago. It has everything, the 4-3 thriller matches..not to mention the recent comeback to Arsenal of 4-4. How can anyone not love this club?. Yes when most of my friends pick clubs like Man U or Liverpool to be their supporters 20 years, i wanted to be unique and i like newcastle's shirt as a basis for me picking the team. (Hey i was like 11 yrs old), few years before we turn out to be real challengers under Kevin Keegan before we were great.

the heartache from Kevin Keegan when we were twice 2nd in the prmiership. Every newcastle fan can feel sorry for the guy. Feel want to go in the TV and comfort him and the stupid sacking of the late Sir Bobby Robson was the biggest mistake of any chairman has ever make. Then we were relegated, no supporters of the big teams have ever had this kind of feeling, but we still stick with our team, and look at us now.

Posted by Giovanni Padilla on 11/07/2011

Im a 21 year old Newcastle Supporter from Los Angeles California. I got into the game because my father is a mexican immigrant in love with football so not only did i watch a lot of it but i also played it for most of my life. I have always been attracted to the Premier League rather than other big leagues simply because its English. Ever since i could remember I was drawn to Newcastle United. The fans, the uniforms, the stadium, it all appealed to me. Whenever i talk to anyone that actually watches the Prem they ALWAYS support one of the big 4 clubs so when i say Newcastle they kind of second guess me. My friends dont understand when i get up at 530am to catch the Magpies play but i dont care. NUFC till i die. I cannot wait to go to St. James' park. This season is special, i hope it snowballs into next season. Follow me on twitter. @UtopianIdeals

Posted by malcolm harrison on 11/07/2011

i am a Geordie who has lived in Fiji, coups and all, for over 40 years. the last game i saw at St. James was the home defeat to Barcelona. how long ago was that!? i also came home for Newcastle's last game at Wembley in the F A cup. Unfortunately the only ticket i could get was in the manu end!! when i first came here my mam sent the football pink which arrived a week later. i offered to read the English football results on the local radio so i could see the results!! now of course it is all different and i was able to get up at 2 on sunday morning to watch Newcastle play Everton. we were lucky! my car number plate is 2NRME! anyone here who knows me knows about Newcastle.
Haway the lads. unbelievable ,so far!!

Posted by boing123 on 11/07/2011

Huge Newcastle following here in a small country like Singapore. About 50k fans watched Shearer & Co when Newcastle last came to Singapore in 1996. Supporter base here has dwindled amidst Newcastle's woes over the last decade, but a sizeable loyal base remains. NUFC should do an Asian tour again soon!

Posted by Brian Fullford on 11/07/2011

Within the past 2 weeks I have decided to follow Premier League and after much research found Newcastle to be the team to follow. My lineage hails from Fulford England and so I wanted a team close by. Neither Manchester was an option as I did not want to be a band wagon American pulling for the "best" team. As a Jacksonville Jaguars fan the passion of the base in spite of winning was most important. While true that NUFC is more Green Bay than Jacksonville it is still the beauty of the ban base and the history of the team that drew me in. I had my 16 year old son watch this weekends Everton match and he too is hooked (he loves rock clibming so the sponsor was a nice hook for him.) I look forward to jumping the pond for a match, along w/my long road of education w/respect to the game of soccer.

@imbwf

Posted by Mike on 11/07/2011

So, I ended up following the Toon when my best friend met himself a Geordie lass, and moved out to Newcastle to get married. I was the best man at his wedding, and since I had no other real interests in any other Premiership teams, Newcastle United it was.

Posted by Jim Robson on 11/08/2011

I have been a Toon supporter for all of my 53 years, living in Australia for the last 23 years has been great, but the Magpies have never lost my heart. Reading all these coments from fans all over the world is a joy to behold.

Posted by Chris on 11/08/2011

I'm a Newcastle fan from Atlanta, Georgia. I'd say that my reasoning for joining up with Newcastle is similar to the two guys that were interviewed. I've always been a fan of "Small market" teams, but the fundamental philosophy of the team (aggressive, fun) is what brought me to the team. What turned me into a true fan is the Toon Army. No matter how bad it got (Hughton, Carroll), no one seemed to leave. That's something that is lost in the states (especially where I live). People will stop cheering for a team if they lose a few games in a row. So cheers to the Toon faithful. You're the reason why many are inspired by the club.

Posted by Chris on 11/08/2011

ALSO, please don't take it for granted, Newcastle natives. Some of us would kill to see a game in person. I'm a very poor college student and I have seriously considered taking out a larger student loan just to pay for a visit. Please go to the games for those of us who can't.

Posted by THE ZUL on 11/08/2011

i'm from Malaysia.
i become a fan of TOON since 1994 now im 24.

not many support this team in Malaysia. Many glory hunters here but i don't care, for me football is about passion and attitude.

THE ZUL

Posted by Gary George on 11/08/2011

Heya fellas, fellow Geordie's.
Greetings from KL, Malaysia.

I've been a Newcastle United supporter ever since I was a kid (25 years old now) thanks to my uncle Tony who gave us all his nephews footie jerseys during one fine Christmas. Yeap, you guessed it right, I got the odd striped Adidas kit with Newcastle Brown Ale home logo while my brother's and cousins got the likes of Man. Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal jerseys.
Just my luck, and I loved it ever since!

I witnessed Shearer and co' play against my uncle's team(Birmingham)& Chelsea when they were here for the Asia tour back in July 2003 and that was one of the best days of my life so far.

One fine day, I would definitely want to visit St. James' Park and that I'm sure will be a dream come true to all of us Toon Army fans!

NUFC till I die! Howay the Lads! C'mon Toon!

Posted by Chris Tyler on 11/08/2011

I have been a newcastle fan ever since the movie goal came out. i know cheesy but i didnt know anything about soccer and now it is my favorite sport and the magpies are my favorite team. I am saving up money and and now have half of what i need to come see my first newcastle game. I cant wait a 7 hour flight from charlotte North Carolina and a 3 hour train ride to newcastle is so worth it

Posted by Patrick Smith on 11/08/2011

I have watched football on and off for the better part of the last 10 years. What really, glued me to it like a lot of people that are my age was the U.S.'s run in the '02 world cup. For awhile I followed arsenal, and some of the other big clubs while searching for one that I could call my own, but finally I fell upon newcastle. What drew me to them was just the sheer history behind the club. Being a fan of Notre Dame football I know all about the pain of watching a once proud team do nothing for decades at a time. Thus, reading about the almost tragic recent history of Newcastle, and the glory years in the past I knew I was hooked. Another, big factor was just the amount of classic matches they showcased on TV up here in Minnesota that almost always were Newcastle games from the 90's. Therefore while Ive only been with the club through the recent years of hardship, there is no better club out there in terms of fan dedication, or history. Im a magpie for life, and damn proud of it!

Posted by fiddletoon on 11/08/2011

My story...
I'm Canadian and played a lot of soccer as a kid. Loved the game, even though I wasn't that great at it.
3 things meant that I was destined to join the ranks of the Toon Army:
My Mum lived in Newcastle for part of her childhood,
I'm a really big Sting/Police fan,
One of my best friends' name is Lester Ferdinand!
Once I figured out what the team was about - the fans, the place itself - I was hooked. It was hard at first, not having much in the way of coverage of matches. But I bought mags and eventually the telly and internet helped out with being able to watch the actual matches.
Made a trip to Newcastle and St. James for the last home match of the season a few years ago (0-2 vs. Blackburn) and made a holiday of it. I'll get back one day soon too.
Howay the Lads

Posted by Padraic on 11/08/2011

Nice article Marc. As a fan from ireland I'm lucky enough to be able to get across for 2/3 games a year with my brother who also supports Newcastle. When I was young and first following football 'the entertainers' were in their prime and that's how I began to follow Newcastle. My poor brother was given no alternative to support anybody else! We're lucky what with sky and espn we get as much coverage as most British people but our trips to St James are the highpoints of every season. Depending on flights and prices we've seen all sorts of opposition from arsenal to Wigan to Doncaster and Scunthorpe in the championship and most memorably Sunderland last season. we're lucky in that we get across to games but we're still a small minority in terms of support in Ireland. It makes the feeling of being among so many other people at St James who share our passion about nufc all the more enjoyable because we're usually surrounded by Liverpool or man utd watching games. Great article though!

Posted by Nick Harris on 11/09/2011

I live in St Paul, MN, now, and got into soccer at grad school in 2004 in Connecticut seeing the passion of all the internationals. Figured I needed a team, and loved the idea that Magpie was one letter off my wife's name, so I could score points on the home front as well.

I've been hooked ever since, although still haven't seen them live. The closest I came was on a business trip to the UK and watched them beat Arsenal from within a pub right outside Emirates stadium, when a friends ticket connection fell through. That was the Carroll header game 1-0 Newcastle.

A few years before that on another business trip in 2006 I ran into a pack of Geordies in Krakow on a Friday night. That experience cemented the fact I had picked a fun group of fans to join up with.

Long live Geordie nation!

Posted by Nick Harris on 11/09/2011

A few years before that on another business trip in 2006 I ran into a pack of Geordies in Krakow on a Friday night. That experience cemented the fact I had picked a fun group of fans to join up with.

Long live Geordie nation!

Posted by Nid @ Kemaman @ Malaysia on 11/09/2011

I'm from Malaysia too...die hard NUFC fan since King Kev era when I was 14yrs old... Never miss to buy a new Newcastle jersey every year. Eventhough being surrounded by big 4 supporters, but not even in my mind to deviate my support to Newcastle. Even my wife questioned me why I'm so loyal to the team...

I would say Newcastle fan is very special especially from my country. With less info, less publicity. less live match etc... we still loyal the team even in championship league...

And one day too, a dream visit to SJP will come true....

Posted by Clifton on 11/09/2011

In the late 90's, I met a man named Bob Polkinghorn, who was a client of my dad's from work. He introduced himself as the Ambassador for the Newcastle United Supporters Club in South Africa. I was 8 or 9 at the time.

My dad is a Leeds supporter, so naturally I 'supported' them til I got a little bit older. I saw the passion and enthusiasm of Mr Polkinghorn, and I knew I had to support this club - his house was black and white, all his rooms and furniture were black and white, even his dog was black and white, and he'd named it Keegan.

I told him that from seeing his passion, I now supported NUFC as I believed it the right thing to do, so he gave me some memorabilia to start me off: signed posters, limited edition prints..

My decision that day was the best thing I've ever done, I rate. I've managed to have a tour of St James, but not yet seen a match, but I will, soon! I've also converted my girlfriend into a Toon girl:)

HOWAY THE LADS!
Clifton, South Africa
Twitter: @Cliffy_Toon

Posted by Susie on 11/09/2011

As the Bayern blogger here, an American born, it warms my heart to see the international love. I'm friends with a bunch of Geordies here stateside. Will be sending along this post....

Who are we? Who are we?!

Posted by Naq Qia on 11/09/2011

Greetings All Toon Army,
I'm from and I've been a Newcastle supporter since 1993 till now.It begins with Alan Shearer moved to Newcastle and since that I've set to be Toon Army 4ever.It's been a long time that i thought i was the only one who support Newcastle in Malaysia until I found this page on facebook:Toon Army Malaysia - Newcastle United FC Supporters.Newcastle supporters are growing fast now in Malaysia and it was a great moment to watching our team performance right now and hope we can qualify for the Champions League and show all the worlds that Newcastle are back on the track again to wins Champions League.
Howay The Lads.Black And White!Toon!Toon!

Posted by Adam on 11/09/2011

Great article! After living and growing up in Asia, everyone was either Liverpool, Man U, Aresnal or Chelsea. I loved watching Alan Shearer as a kid. So after his move to Newcastle I got into researching about the clubs history, past heroes etc. I just fell in love with the Toon and I am proud to say I have been through the low times and the high times with this fantastic team since 96/97.

Being from Australia and living in Melbourne, "Soccer" has only really taken off in the last 5 years or so (corresponding with Australia's qualification to Germany). But there was a moment i'll always remember when at 4am in an english pub in the city I was eagerly awaiting a match between NUFC and Arsenal (the game where Shay Given saved Brambles scuffed clearance with his head - crazy save!) as I walked to my table there were some fans wearing NUFC jerseys and as I sat down they said 'Oi!' dont sit there on your own, you join us! We were only 3 ppl strong but the loudest.

HOWAY THE LADS!

Posted by AzmiNufcBrunei on 11/10/2011

Love newcastle since alan shearer big move. Until now stil supports newcastle. No matter how hard it is during the turbulent times especially relegation. We here in brunei stil as loyal as ever. Alan shearer taught me to be loyal when he snubbed trophies n glories in mufc to follow his heart. Newcastle United Forever! Newcastle United Supporters Brunei! HWTL!

Posted by Sean on 11/10/2011

I am a die hard Newcastle fan here in the US (Arizona), and have been for nearly 20 years. Most PL fans that I meet for the first time are amazed that I support Newcastle. Most are either Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, or Liverpool. I have grown up with the game, but never had teams to cheer for. Thanks to the internet and technology, I was able to follow the sport. I cheer for Newcastle mainly because I know I had family there. Through thick and thin, that will never change.

Posted by Toon Bride Atlanta on 11/11/2011

My husband is a Brit from Newcastle and a staunch supporter of the Magpies. Now living in Atlanta GA, he misses the comradery of his fellow supporters. Anyone wish to have a meetup of Newcastle United fans in the Atlanta area? We live up on the north side, with lots of pub opps, but location isn't really important--just sharing the love for the lads.

Posted by Sharul Taha on 11/12/2011

How i wish i can click the "LIKE" buttons for all the comments here!!!

Howay The Lads!

Another NUFC Die Hard Fan from Malaysia here....started to like Newcastle because of the stripes they wear and when King Kev himself was playing for 'em (with that groovy hair) back in the 80's......LOL.

Never turn back ever since and always be a Geordie (adopted) for life....

Will ensure i will attend at least a game at SJP before the end of my life!

Posted by Dennis on 11/12/2011

NUFC from Vancouver!!!
Dad being a geordie I grew up a fan from afar! Have been over many times but always follow the toon...

Green Bay Packers?? come on boys...rugbys # 1 and if you wanna watch N american football watch the Canadian game...far more exciting!! watch the BC Lions take the Grey cup..!!

Posted by Barry Ameobi on 11/13/2011

Fantastic piece and wow what a response from all the global NUFC fans. Need to keep everyone connected. If you're on twitter, I'm @toonarmymia

Posted by DES Duffy on 11/13/2011

Great article and reassuring to read so many passionate blogs from Newcastle fans around the world. The club is unique as are the fans and the city. Good to know we have true supporters who recognise that it's not only about Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, keep the faith, love you all!!!

Posted by Drew on 11/14/2011

Die hard NUFC fan from Michigan's upper peninsula where next to no one watches the BPL. Ended up becoming a NUFC fan after watching a few games online the year they got relegated but after reading into their history realized they were very similar at least when it comes to fans to the Packers (who I have been a life long fan of) and have since been watching every game I can. Really want to get to SJP some time soon.

Posted by Dominique Kee on 11/17/2011

Hey Marc. This thread is amazing! Long story short: Malaysian, Male, B&W for life, since before the 94'-95' season (will never forget Tino's hat-trick against the Catalans) but have loved Wor Shearer and NUFC to death ever since!

Suffered much ridicule when in early teens due to supporters of the Mancs, Red, and Gunners never understanding why I didn't support the 'winning teams'. Of course I smirked sarcastically when the same Reds switched from Anfield to Highbury in the Gunner's Double Year and Liverpool were stuttering.

In my circles today, everytime NUFC is in the news, everyone gives me a call to tell me. I guess I'm the only hardcore Magpie on their friend list!

I've since met other Toons in Malaysia. I was briefly involved in the local Toon Army and I've even met a Geordie running a hostel in Cambodia during my visit there!

My lifelong love affair with the Toon continues today! I've never been prouder! Howay the Lads!

Posted by Manuel Perez on 11/18/2011

Newcastle fan from Nicaragua, since 2002! The fan base and the stadium's environment is what attracted me at first. Of course, it helped that the magpies were playing the champions League by then...

Posted by Zachattack on 11/19/2011

I became a toon fan when I was 15 and my mother gave me a newcastle brown ale "newcie-brown" and it became my favorite beer. I'm from a small town that's at least a four hour drive to any major sports team so all teams are a long drive. I choose my loyalty off of rather random things because I never cheer for the team with the highest salary cap.

Posted by Ralton on 11/23/2011

i have been a Magpie for 19 yrs. I have seen players and coaches go
i have seen us almost wint the league which weas so sad when the devils took it that year i cried and did not speak to anyone for 3 days.I am from Cape Town SA and from a place called Maneneberg> Here by us i have only met one Newcastle supporter in my life so i am proud to be a Geordie

Posted by Michael Raschi @weezerz99 on 11/23/2011

Hi Marc! Great fan stories.I've been a soccer fan in the USA of the usmnt since 1992.Had followed World Cup soccer since 1980. My dad was a Roma and MUFC fan.I became a huge fan of English football after rooting for England as well as the USA in WC 00 and 04.I rooted for MUFC till 08-09 when the relagation battle of NUFC took place. The passion of the fans took me that season.Sports teams in the USA I liken their fans to would be Green Bay fans. Small team with huge passion.Also I have followed @MarcSDuffy all along and highly recommend it.But beware @MarcDuffy is an expert NFL fantasy player! Go Toon Army!!!!!

Posted by danno on 11/28/2011

i was studying in london in 1997. newcastle united came out on tv in a black and white strip with a giant newcastle brown ale label in the middle. "welp, i suppose that's my team" i said. and the rest is history

Posted by vann on 12/24/2011

Fan frm SGP.

I started supporting NUFC eversince CM days cos newcastle was the 1st team that I started the game with, with rob lee, lee clark, pavel, beardsie, shaka hislop and co! Ooh I miss CM... So I natuarally supports juve cos they copied our jersey! Or so I read..

HWTL!!

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