Wallsendmag

Remember at one point it was a toss up between signing him or that lad from Sevilla who Aston Villa signed (can't remember his name) and I was absolutely desperate for Botman because of his age, his physical stature which is perfect for this league, and that I'd seen him live playing for Lille and just thought he looked an absolute class act. So happy we got him. Hope he's here another 10 years

Yet it still hasn't dawned on them that despite playing like Barcelona all season they are still nowhere near that level.

Was the perfect storm for an excellent atmosphere. Obviously the opposition was a big factor, then ten Hags comments riled everyone up (his mind games had the opposite effect to what he wanted so he needs some practice there) which meant everyone screaming at De Gea to hurry up everyone time he had the ball. Some form of revenge for the Cup Final was clearly in the air, the later kick off time meant everyone had had a couple of extra pints, then of course the chance to go above them into 3rd and the excellent performance meant it was always going to be absolutely electric which it was. After a few really flat atmospheres culminating in the Cup Final I think the last 2 home games have been really good. Hopefully a corner has been turned.

Best he's experienced in his 11 years of working for Sky. Tbf it was absolutely bouncing yesterday. We were in the Gallowgate Upper and stood more than we sat. Even the Leazes sounded loud and the NE Corner of the Leazes End also came across as very noisy amd when you look to your left and see the Platinum Club up out their seats singing you know everyone is up for it!

We used to sit there in the very early 90s. Could get very rowdy tbf

They should move for the greater good (better atmosphere/better support to the team) for a similar positioned seat elsewhere inside the stadium (Gallowgate middle for Leazes middle etc) unless they are happy to be part of a standing section. As I said earlier it's not "their" seat anyway. They rent it per season from the club.

It would hardly be a new thing. They threw 1000s out of their seats in the Milburn Stand to make room for the Platinum Club. People are under the misinterpretation that bit of plastic is their own personal property but it isn't. It remains the property of the club and all they are doing is renting it off them on a seasonal basis. Ultimately safe standing is something that would benefit the team as it would allow for a far better atmosphere and greater support for the players. If it affects you the club will will work with you to find the beat possible replacement seat I'm sure. It's already happened at plenty of other clubs with minimal fuss (Chelsea converted over 25% of their stadium into safe standing), but lots of NUFC fans love a whinge!

1000s of spare seats in the Leazes which is the same price as the Gallowgate.

I think the vast majority of those surveyed voted in favour of safe standing so it's what the majority want.

You said this ie what has always happened. I'm just letting you know that's not the case at all. It's simply a symptom of all seater stadia and the season ticket culture. They can be moved to other seats in the Leazes End which gives an identical view. Alternatively give them first refusal on availability seats in the Milburn or East Stand. My dad si in his 70s and sits in the Gallowgate middle tier. Same seats since 1994. He filled in the survey the other week and whilst he wouldn't want to stand now he voted in favour of it and said he'd be happy to move to make way for it so that younger fans can get the chance to stand like how he did in the late 50s when he first started going up until the 90s.

The thing is it hasn't always been the same has it? Younger more excitable people would start off in the Leazes or the Gallowgate. Then as they grew a bit older they'd migrate to the Paddocks or the "old man's corner" (Gallowgate M section) and then when/if they'd finally had enough of standing they'd move to either the West/Milburn Stand or the East Stand. Now you've got the same people occupying the same seat they've had in the Gallowgate for best part of 30 years and like it or not that is the biggest problem with the atmosphere these days. Once upon a time they'd be long gone to either the East or Milburn Stand but they are still there diluting the atmosphere in what should be the loudest part of the ground. The middle tier of the Gallowgate especially, which is what most people would consider gives the best view from that Stand is full of people in their 50s/60s/70s. It's never going to make for a good atmosphere. Once upon a time they would have long since moved out and those places would be occupied by teenagers/lads in their 20s/30s.

If they've built up such good relationships they can meet up in the pub before and after the game. The match itself isn't really the time for discussing knitting patterns etc. It's a time for getting behind the team you claim to support. You've actually described a big part of the problem. Lot's of people have forgotten why they are there. The main priority is giving the team maximum support to give them the best chance of winning the game. Too many people now treating the actual 90 minutes as just another part of the social occasion.

Surely it's always been the case where both genders have crossed. Athletics the easiest example to quote. Men's 100m, then you have the womens 100m and so forth.

Well happy with Rangers away. Definitely going to that one. Seen Newcastle play in friendlies at both Rangers and Celtic and was lucky enough to be at Ally McCoists Testimonial 30 years ago. One thing I do remember is that we received a far warmer welcome at Rangers than we did at Celtic!

Turned out to be 4 games

Banned all comment have they? That's strange because I remember page after page of sheer outrage on there when Joelinton had 1 glass of wine too many.

Tbh look at any Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds, Spurs, West Ham, Aston Villa game these days and you'll see the fans behind both goals are now permanently stood which more or less is guaranteed to instantly improve the atmosphere. Aside from those clubs mentioned, Liverpool have the Kop that stands for 90 mins, Everton the Gwladys Street, Wolves Southbank, all who stand for the full match. Even Man City have a good few thousand standers either side of the away fans. We maybe have 500 or so. The rest sit there, arms folded, not really contributing a great deal. As I say we have an aged, miserable (battle weary even) crowd. They're trailing a standing area in the area where they have the most standees anyway and there's still moaning. Imagine the outrage if they tried to do a full stand! Personally, after the Wembley fiasco, which is what has probably brought all this to a head, I would have done what Chelsea did and say "look we are converting this full stand (Gallowgate in our case) into safe standing. You can take it or leave it but that's what's happening. If you want to move we'll find you alternative seating". Over 25% of Stamford Bridge is now safe standing and it's improved their atmosphere enormously. I'll probably in the minority here but I think the club need to be more ruthless. If they upset the miserable, sit there arms folded brigade then tough shit.

The bottom line is that we have the oldest, most miserable home crowd in the league. That's the sad facts right there. Look around the Gallowgate on a matchday and you'll see exactly what I mean and that's our so called home end. They would never, ever get up out their seats singing like they are in that Stretford End video. It just wouldn't happen.

Think it was just the ticket price. Gate receipts were in a separate column to other matchday revenue. Their average ticket price worked out at under £12 per person though. Their average crowd was something like 41k yet Norwich who averaged 25k the same season took more money at the gate. Of they charged in line with other clubs they'd average around 25k.

Think Germany is around 1:1.7 or even 1:1.8. Their safe standing is totally different from ours. It's still of the proper traditional terrace type. I remember a few years back managing to get a standing ticket for a Schalke home game and to say it was packed is an understatement. Had to stand with my arms by my side because there was literally nowhere to move them to. It was just a complete squash. No chance of nipping away for a piss or anything like that either!

https://twitter.com/jgnufc1/status/1639578624620654593?t=wNTwTjBcP7rRp504j-rznQ&s=19

Their ground is an absolute dump tbf. Virtually no cover for the fans at all. They've spent absolutely nowt on it and that club has had some money through it the past 6/7 years with the Vase win and 400 average crowds. The only thing they did was the clubhouse and that was paid for by grants. A mate of mine is a season ticket holder there and there's a growing suspicion about the way the club is being run.

They're certainly a strange bunch with a massive fixation and chip on their shoulder when it comes to us. They got all the way through to the UEFA Cup Final and all they did was sing about us watching The Bill Other than that they've had a wide assortment of banners at their home games about us. The trophy virgins one was a particular highlight considering the relative history and trophy count of both clubs. Seen some other banners they've about made about us on social media this year of the anti Saudi nature but even after all that I find it hard to give a fuck about them and very much doubt I ever will. As a place and as a football club I'd class Middlesbrough as pretty much an irrelevance to almost everyone. They don't even have a proper Derby to call their own.

I've noticed the NUSC are running a supporters bus to Aston Villa.

I have no feelings towards Middlesbrough either good or bad, so them coming up wouldn't matter one bit to me as I don't even know a single Middlesbrough fan to have a bit banter with. As for Sunderland. I always say I wish on them what they wish on us. A lifetime of misery and suffering where following their football team is concerned, so on that basis I hope they continue to stink out the lower leagues in their half empty stadium for many years to come.