As the curtains went down on the Championship season, the trophy was lifted at St James' park, as the Magpies celebrated a second championship triumph in 7 years. I'm here to give you the Newcastle United matchday experience.
After a disappointing season in the Premier League which saw the club relegated for a second time in 7 years, questions were asked whether the club was in good hands under Mike Ashley. But managing to keep Rafa Benitez and splashing out as a sign of intent, Newcastle were dead favourites to gain promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt. And after a turbulent, stress inducing season, Newcastle did indeed gain promotion, even though they made it hard for themselves. And in this, the final game of the season, they were looking to round off the season with the trophy at the end of it.
Atmosphere leading up to the game was of general excitement, I could feel the anticipation in the air as I stepped on the metro with all the Gateshead based Newcastle fans to travel into the city, you could smell the distinctive matchday smell, pies and beer along with all the loud cheering and the occasional banging of the doors as someone would scream 'toon toon' and the crowd would respond by screaming back 'barmy army!'. Once the metro docked at St James' station everyone was equally eager and excited to get off the metro and get into the stadium, the massive 'Welcome to St James' Park' sign made me take in how historic of a stadium this is in such a football mad city. Once you exited the metro station you were then dawned over by the colossus that was the football stadium, a massive 54,000 seater stadium, equipped with the fans bar for people who weren't able to get a ticket, meaning that there were well over 60,000 people within a 10 mile radius of the stadium.
The location of the stadium with it being in the city centre, transport links make it quite simple getting there, whether you travel by train, metro, or by car, making it accessible to more people than most stadiums, hotels and overnight stay local for away fans too making their journey all the less hectic, especially teams further down south. Also with various pubs near and places to eat the St James' area is a proper hub for football with all the essentials nearby.
The stadium is also conveniently accessible at the turnstiles, with each turnstile appropriately separated to avoid congestion and ensure fans get in and out as smooth as possible. With this being an eagerly anticipated match fans were in the ground up to half an hour before kick off, singing their hearts out, drinking and eating in true Geordie fashion. Then it came to walking out to the concourse and take my seat. I was in the Leazes end, so as soon as I stepped out I was faced with the famed Gallowgate, and my god was it a sight. A sea of Black and White, waving flags about and a roar of courage as they back their favourite team.
The scene was set. A win and Brighton failing to match that and they were champions, and you could feel the belief round the stadium, the game itself was pretty one sided with Newcastle cruising to a 3-0 win, it seemed however that they would come up short as Brighton were winning 1-0 away to Aston Villa. But then, a shock, a roar around the stadium echoed across the city, fans were smiling, jumping and you soon heard a familiar chant "Championes, Championes, ole ole ole", Villa had equalised, the full time whistle had gone and Newcastle were crowned champions.
Fans in every corner of the stadium were grinning ear to ear, young children witnessing one of their first successful memories of their boyhood club, elderly fans adding another memory for the bank and the atmosphere once again was incredible, I even felt myself welled up with pride even though I support Liverpool myself, probably more for Benitez than Newcastle though, but to be involved in such a day was great to experience and wish both the best for the season ahead in the Premier League.
You can buy tickets to see Newcastle United here.
