news-engine

Well, Sunday was something, wasn’t it. I watched it in the Second Half pub in Takadanobaba, Tokyo, which serves as the designated NUFC fans spot here. Be in no doubt, Newcastle United are massive. Big in Japan, anyway, as the saying goes. About 30 in attendance. Some, like me, on holiday. Others, migrants (sorry, I won’t use the term “expat” - it just means “white migrant”…) still with the unmistakable Northumbrian lilt. But a further group: local Tokyo-ites, who offered up different reasons for why NUFC was their club. There were a couple who saw the light at the same time Yoshinori Muto did (I was surprised to learn he’s still plying his trade at Vissel Kobe…), one who chose to follow us after that 3-0 over Man Utd in Jan 2012 (Demba’s lob; Cabaye’s free kick) presumably hoping - poor lad - it would always be like that, and a fair few who signed up to the B&W cause upon encountering Mags, either in Japan itself or when their own travels, and concluding that our particular brand of radged up myopia was for them. We’re a massive deal. And this match ended at 2:30am local time, with work in the morning for everyone. Japanese work culture is, well, what it is. You can’t turn up showing signs of the (late) night before. There’s also no public transport in the early hours in Tokyo, remarkable for a city which otherwise functions like clockwork and in which plenty of things are open 24 hours. So those in attendance were making sacrifices, much as fans in the North East do, just of a different kind. Some get hotels near Takadanobaba when we’re on at this kind of time, and go straight to work instead of waiting until the trains start again at 4:30am (I did the latter: got back to the accommodation about 6am just in time for the bairns to surface…) - others wait for the first train and take a day off to watch us. Others, no doubt, struggle through a working day on zero sleep and hope the boss doesn’t notice. They’re as mad, if not madder, than we are. And I loved it. From stepping out of the lift into an immaculately observed minute’s silence for KK, to hugging complete strangers when Joe Willock did the implausible, this was Newcastle United. Chucking away two points at the death? Well that was very Newcastle United too, but - while it felt like a defeat as I crunched through salty snacks outside 7-Eleven and waited for daybreak - I feel better about this season than I did at kick off on Sunday. And that is something, surely. To WBA then. PK has the preview and he’s decided they aren’t shit. I’ll agree - without having done any research - but will add that they must be a bit shit, as we are quite shit and yet we’re a division above. So a shit match in store for all those going (if you’re not, think about it - you might just be glad you did if the Wembley ballot comes up again around Valentines… I don’t mind the Baggies. Of the West Midlands sides, they seem the least objectionable. Fuck Villa. I’m not having this “friendship” with them just because they’re getting shafted by the powers that be. They are bedsheet wielding dickheads. 24 May 2009. Never forget. Fuck Birmingham too. Half price hoolie vibe there. So I’ll go WBA as far as that part of the world is concerned, although tonight I hope - and expect, because what is the point of any of this if we don’t expect to beat lower division opponents at home - they’ll lose. On a serious note though, this is a big game. Any feel good factor from the Liverpool game will vanish into thin air if we exit this competition tonight. A competition which remains, as it probably will for some time, our most realistic chance at silverware. Drink Knox. Win Carabao. You know it makes sense. Into these, United! YOUSEF HATEM TF You Tube Money Go Round Always a great read and very informative of the financial situation within the Premier League. The Swiss Ramble is the number one source of this kind of gen. Join the Newcastle United Supporters Trust Join Newcastle United’s only members based, democratic supporters representative association and become active in the issues that matter to Mags and fans across the country. Click on the image for more information. Random Football Stickers of Tyneside Monument, Newcastle city centre. True Faith Podcast The Newcastle United independent media’s leading podcast - amazing value for money - get signed up as a TF patreon and access a massive catalogue of superb podcasts. Click on the image for more gen. Donate to Wor Flags They do us proud every season and in every game but they can only do it with our support. Keep the flags flying and donate to Wor Flags - click here Support the Newcastle United Fans Foodbank Donate to the Newcastle United Fans Foodbank and support local people in need - click here Michael Martin - @tfMick1892.bsky.social The Special is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and ally Glenn Ashcroft. Art work by Peter Willis.