Football, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle has to have the best pre match entertainment that I have seen in the country which gives home and away fans a chance to drink and have fun before the game.
The best location for this is in the Bigg Market. The pre match includes football fun and drinking competitions. The famous Geordie dancer and also the dangerous curry hell.

Away fans are normally welcome as long as you are up for a laugh and some serious micky taking.

Best Bars include the Vaults Idols and POP. Action kicks off about 3 hours before the game.

Football, the great passion of Newcastle... try getting anything done on a match afternoon...

Notably the home team of Alan Shearer, Newcastle's pride in their team is not misplaced.

Everywhere families are decked out in the black-and-white shirts that inspire greatness, and serious celebrations(or vice versa).

A near religion in the North, as most everywhere in the UK, Newcastle United is one of the better premiership teams to be supporting

Check out St. James park, it's a pretty impressive stadium.

1 more image

Newcastle United play at St. James Park which is located the centre of the city. We walked past the ground on our way from the University to the Discovery museum but it was very quiet. I've heard the atmosphere is great on match days but there was no game on during our visit, unfortunately.

Newcastle United have a huge following, probably the most passionate supporters in the country, though it's been a long time since they won a major trophy. Some of the great names to play for Newcastle are Jackie Milburn, Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Malcolm MacDonald.

Newcastle United Football Club are pride and glory of the North East.

Despite having the loyalist following in the country, tromendous football ground, certain European recognition and very good set of players, NUFC still fail to deliver trophies to the long-time suffering Mags. Its 36 years now since last piece of silverware was brought to St James' and almost 80 years since the last championship title.

Even in mid-week NUFC is the casual and most important topic for conversation for majority of the locals. It is a definite landmark in the city.

SJP is a must visit, although atmosphere is not as good as it used to be.

If possible, try to obtain tickets for one of the away games - to hear Geordies in full voice and really have an unique day oot.

Tickets stand at £25-30, away fans are located in the Leazes upper corner.

Equipment: Bring a black and white scarf and good voice

1 more image

Name
Newcastle United
Nickname
The Magpies
Stadium
St James Park
League Play In
Premier League
Honours
Home Kit
Black and white striped shirts, black shorts and socks
Away Kit

Equipment: To watch the match the only equipment you really need is a good strong voice to sing your club`s songs and encourage the team and your eyes to actually watch the game, some people do take a pair of binoculars if they sit far from the pitch.
Apart from the above the club s encourage you to buy their merchandise to enhance your matchday experience, you can buy virtually anything from hats and scarfs to the full blown replica kit, which generally is updated annually.

4 more images

Join the majority of the locals in this football daft city and take in a game at the legendary St James Park.

Plonked straight in the middle of the city centre its pretty hard to miss this colosus of a stadium as it towers above mostly any other building in the area.

With its capacity of 52,193 you are immediately taken with the scale of the stadium and can easily see where the 40 million pounds spent on it in 1998 to redevelop it went too, namely two huge stands, The Millburn and the Sir John Hall stands.

Arriving in the stadium you are met by the welcoming site of a row of bars and serveries, a pint of Fosters pre match was much appreciated although note that you are not able to take alcohol to your seat, its only permitted under the stands. Pretty decent mince pie is also worth a shout for the hungry stomached. (Cheers to the young bloke serving us our pints who only charged us the price of a half pint with a knowing wink).

We got tickets for the East stand which is actually the lowest in height of the 4 sides to the Park but made for a good view of the match, Newcastle versus Charlton in the Premiership. Game was not up to much with Newcastle showing a distinct lack of cutting edge, eventually scoring in the 52nd minute through Keiron Dyer, only for Charlton to take the advantage away from them within 30 seconds of the restart, Dennis Rommedahl scoring in the 53rd minute.

Howls of Boo's went up at the final whistle as the digruntled fans trooped off to make for the numerous surrounding pubs.

Equipment: A Newcastle United Home Shirt, the famous black and white stripes, and a Newcastle scarf should see you alright :-)

A match ticket is pretty handy too, we paid £36 for ours from the ticket office, tel number below.

The home of the Magpies ....Patrick Kluivert and Alan Shearer just two of the stars on show here ..

My pride and Joy is wearing the Black n White stripes and gannin to the match..No better atmosphere than at St James Park

Cost from £25 - £75 per ticket ....

Equipment: Programmes are £2.50

The stadium of Newcastle United "St. James' Park" is located only a few minutes walk from Newcastle's city centre. I love seeing football stadiums when I am travelling and I was surprised to see this one so close when standing on the viewing platform of BALTIC. The "Magpies" were playing Aston Villa when we were there and on the picture you can even see the people in the stadium!

We walked by the stadium on our way to Chinatown and it looked quite impressive from what I saw - definitely more impressive than German stadia (!), anyway ;-)

It was funny, when we walked there all the Newcastle United supporters were leaving into the direction we came from. Nobody complained. Nobody said anything to us even though we went into the "wrong" direction. This wouldn't be possible with German football "supporters". I would be happy to get where I want to go without being beaten up here!

Equipment: A black and white shirt and a ticket (Latter one sounds impossible to get though!)

If you're in Newcastle on a matchday, definitely try and get a ticket (usually sold out).
There's a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium, I've been twice, the first time was for Alan Shearer's home debut and the place was absolutely deafening.

Equipment: A good set of lungs

Looks like we are in Europe next season, all the more to visit Newcastle please see their web site

to book tickets etc. or when the games are on.