Jonas

What an interesting read all this is. Only by the mackem definition can I contribute, Gateshead born, Washington raised. Started going as we were being relegated, second full season was our lowest post-war average, third our worst ever season So it was glory hunting with me. Dad's a 'Durham Mag' too. Predating not just Keegan the player, nevermind manager, with us, but Keegan actually being a player.

That's not going to work for them either. From .com in 2009 - and its only grown since "Newcastle's aggregate League attendance at St James' Park totals 58,500,000. Approaching TEN MILLION more than Sunderland's aggregate attendance."

Miseryside

I've already been minority reported for my reaction to a terrible refereeing decision towards them

My PTSD from the ripping off of 96 has been reawoken.

Ginola at 2.54. Should have been singing Don't Look Back In Anger instead after missing the dressing room and having to check back.

Last gate before the takeoever - 50,407 v Leeds average gates before boycott covering giveaway 47,000

They'd do Munchman as their style is to copy somebody out of envy but change it just enough to pretend to themselves they didn't. Like the whole badge etc. Suppose its a homage to the fallen territory of Penshaw RTG was on about a few month back.

Seems right. Defences are a lot deeper now than they were and the back-pass rule changing negate some of the reasoning for keepers being off the line and the chances of one on ones from a distance where a chip would be on. The more professional percentages too - someone tries an Albert and is doesn't come off they' be chastised now, perhaps even if the game was in the bag, for future reference. So stylish though. Kitson against Swansea,Peacock against Swindon, O'Brien the first at the mackems, Quinn against Derby are sumptuous to watch.

Not the least bit envious if 90% of those finalists like. Would require playing at a lower level than we've ever played at for most of them and only three times in 40years would a Championship play-off final be considered a success

Spender (when we get the commercial deals in)

Love how non-attending Mags is their new thing, whilst discussing the virtues of extending their stadium that's been filled 1% of the time since it opened to house the non-attending/existing MLFs to get some sort of bragging rights despite stadium size and gates not counting anyway....at least since 2000 and before 1999.

I might have got your ticket in 1999. I didn't get one for 98. Me and a mate who went to games against Barnsley an Watford in 13k crowds together sat at home whist our other mates who didn't go until Keegan and not a handful of away games between them got tickets. Had a bond, a season ticket, went to all the home cup games and about 7-9 away games that year. (Two of the lads that got tickets didn't go to any) Even applied for Southampton away to keep my points/credit up as we were on a run by then. 99 - went to two cup games and let someone else have my ticket for the second half of the season. No away games. But got a ticket. Seems like it was just pot luck. Or guilty conscience on the ticket offices part second time around.

Cant ask for much more but smiling and drooling urge modesty so as not to tempt fate.

When I seen that score just before half-time.... Like when Max sees the hole in the wall on Midnight Express, daren't get too excited but can't fully stifle it

So happy for him, more than anything else, watching the highlights back and the roar he got when his name was announced. His dance reminded me of Bateman's little wiggle to 'Hip to be Square' in American Psycho

Alan Robson used to go "May the best team win....and we all know who that is" Remember wondering if he'd do it against the mackems, being part of his audience, to his credit he only did.

Had to laugh at Roker Mackem responding by rote to someone saying "Big Dan Burn" 'and another one' - implying a Mag had outed himself, only to be told... "he's a Brighton fan" Demonstrably false club funded fan display accusation causing anguish (and its rubbish anyway obviously), angry at whoever is commentating for not slaughtering one of the teams thats playing (like every other commentary in history), whoever were playing is rubbish - especially just after we score, the premier league is rubbish, sportswashing (but hawayah City), someone not from Northumberland Street being referred to as a 'Geordie' boiling them. As standard.

Still, always will, get emotional at the scarf segments at Shearer's testimonial so naturally condone the display tonight. Jon Champion's comment that night is appropriate "thats just fantastic" And the homage to the 93/94 banner. Many a happy day missing the teams coming out under that in the East Stand.

I still worry when we don't take our chances, don't score when were on top (which is most of the game, most games) and anticipate the sucker punch like were any other Newcastle team ever (apart from KKs). Wonder if I/we'll ever learn to just enjoy it like I/we did under Keegan, like holding us at bay makes it interesting even entertaining (until the hour mark) and a goal/win is inevitable.

Whether this is true or no, its got Ginola-Dalglish vibes about it. Just not compatible with the managers style. Less game time. Games feeling like trials where breaking even wouldn't be enough.

By a similar token I'd just like to put the idea of penalties out there. I couldn't watch or survive that

Nobody was subjected to anywhere near as much as this as Gascoigne. Made up stories, constant assessing his performances, mentality. Even though before the internet age it still completely dwarfs anything ASM is getting. Be hard pressed to find a eratic, creative player that hasn't been subjected to this. Nowt in this xenophobic line.