Superior Acuña

Get in, this is exactly why I’m sending out Newcastle baby gear to all my international mates having kids these days.

lerl Set to be 5 points ahead of them with a game in hand!

That article - and the Bowyer fight sealing it PS - hi from just over the water in Victoria BC

Soz I remember replying to one question/set of questions but then I didn't reply to your follow-up. I felt bad and kept meaning to. It was in the middle of me moving from the UK/China to the US.

I didn't suggest there should be ID. I know young people that have complained about it, don't think there's many teens and younger on this forum. I've seen young kids there too, but it's not very fair on your average youngster who doesn't know someone with the points or corporate. If you're not arsed about kids having the same opportunity to go that us older people did, good for you

Given that Wood's been given so many minutes, and even got a few minutes this week with both Wilson and Isak fit, surely losing Wood without bringing someone in would have to be seen as a weakening by Howe (even if it might not seem like it...).

I don't think anyone is suggesting that people who've put the effort in and gained points shouldn't be at an advantage, but the point is it is not possible now for new people - or people who started in the last couple of years - to 'put in the effort' because you can't get on the ladder like you used to. Like I say, I got on the ladder in *the 95/96* season when I was 6 years old, so the idea that's always been like this is not true - it is harder for youngins nows than it was for us.

It hasn't been like this for a couple of decades though. There used to regularly be games where you could get tickets with o points or fewer than 10. Almost all the 'lessers' sell out at tens of points now - so young'ins can't get on the ladder, they're stuck in a cycle of not being able to build points regardless of how dedicated. If you're a young kid how can you even officially get a ticket? Even one of the very few 'easy' 15 point games. I started going to games with my dad at the height of the Keegan era when I was 6 years old and got a ticket, I couldn't do that now through official channels. I don't think anyone's complaining about people passing on tickets 'now and again', it's about people doing it systemtically when they're *not* putting in the effort but getting rewarded with the points. This is not bitterness - I've well over a 100 points, and I want youngins to be able build them up like how I did.

I definitely think something along those lines is the way to go for a start. I think the points make sense but there should be a way that doens't totally lock others out. I'm surprised to hear that there's so many people buying and selling tickets on - I don't know anyone that does that. Then again I was at Leicester and Arsenal and wondering how some of the kids got tickets. I use my dad's mate's points when I'm back, but he only does it for me, not systematically - and actually I built up the points then transferred the ticket to him when I left - I'd obviously be gutted if ID checks or something ruined that.

All these years I've never considered that there might be food in The Strawberry beyond packets of crisps and pork scratchings.

Watching the match with shin pads on I think the thing that gets me wound up with a large section of supporters not from an area (whether they're domestic or international) is when, say we lose to Chelsea and a non-local post-Abramovic-purchase fan is giving it the big ones (haha we beat you), I'm thinking, well *of course* 'your' team fucking won, you picked them largely because they're good, you don't get to do that - it's not chance that you support them rather than say, Ipswich (or us post 90s). (The Chelsea example is because I've sat with an international Chelsea supporting friend of mine pumping his fists as they beat us again...) However I do feel like I should wind my neck in a bit when I read the sorts of stories in these threads - even if a team was picked largely because they're good, this is often to do with those teams being shown on tv more in other countries etc., and the dedication is often very genuine.

I do reckon more geordies like football than in a lot of other parts of the country though. At school it seemed like the vast majority of lads were into it, and if you weren't, you were considered a bit odd for it. Then I went to uni and met loads of lads not arsed about football..

I'm from Newcastle, but in my time in North America I've met three American/Canadian fans that I can think of that are as dedicated as anything. One just loved the black and white stripes when he was little. (I do proper love our black and white stripes, and how relatively unique they are). One's dad is a geordie. One took a trip through the UK in the early 90s, stopped in Newcastle, went to a match and fell in love with the team and place. (Re Goal - she didn't remember anyone supporting us from it, but my ex grew up in a Mexican community in LA and she said all the lads at her school were obsessed with the film when it came out)

Sitting here pissing myself edit: There's more

I'm too young to remember the 92/93 promotion, but I was on the pitch at Plymouth in 09 and the Barnsley match in 17. It sounds like 92/93 was a bit different (e.g. the parade!) but as fun as 09 and 17, for me, they were more about relief, making the most of the situation for a bit of a party and being first was the cherry on top, I can't say the being champions part was really important to me in a way that was comparable to a cup -i.e. I've had many more memorable moments than the last minute championship win v Barnsley. Possibly the closest I've had to the cup winning feeling was winning the semis in 98 and 99.

I think it was 08 actually - I think those student politics were easier to miss in later years. Yeah definitely, I fucking loved it - I go back every time I'm back in the country (currently living in Canada), I've got more mates there than Newcastle these days, most my best pals there stuck around. Almost liked it too much - nowhere I've lived since has measured up.

Don't think I knew about that with Johnson. Harry Cole (now The Sun political editor who Carrie Symonds left for Boris Johnson) ran for student union president, and lost, when I was there. I stayed in Sciennes in first year student accommodation flats on the corner of the Meadows

there’s a Fulham player went to ground when Mitro peeled away to celebrate ??

Haha no…. It’s also Brighton AND HOVE ALBION…

I'd interpret as 1-3 weeks i.e. before we cross into the realm of months...

Surprised it would be so mixed. Not even close for me - League Cup. We've not won a trophy in over 50 years (almost 70 since more than a handful got to actually see it). It'd be my greatest day as a fan so far, no doubt - dreamt of it as long as I can remember being sentient, and under Ashley really started to wonder if I'd ever see it. Champions League is class too obviously but it's not a cup (and we've done it relatively recently).

Interview from this weekend (pre-match) https://theathletic.com/4087929/2023/01/15/aleksandar-mitrovic-fulham-newcastle-exclusive/ (excerpt on Newcastle:) Can't imagine Fulham fans love him saying we're the best fans in England I can't not like him, like.