I have noticed this when reading bits about NFL teams. They usually refer to them as 'it' instead of 'they'. I've also noticed fans rarely refer to their team as 'we'.
That's odd, I've rarely come across that.
As I know you're all interested in my take on the matter, I tend to use both the singular and plural. Newcastle is, because it's a club and 'club' is singular. Newcastle 'are' to refer to the players/fans, etc.
Yep. 100% correct.