Some of the replies are absolutely unbelievable. That place really is stuck in the 70's.
I'd love to say I've never heard similar things from Toon fans/people from Newcastle but I have. Some people are thick cunts, unfortunately. The North East as a traditional working class/left wing region should have a greater empathy towards people of all backgrounds but plenty of people have an outright racist mindset.
Work on a building site anywhere in the NE and you'll find it, both throwaway comments and outright hatred.