A beautiful strike from the Great Dane!As I took my seat at a rainy Loftus Road, it was amongst the home supporters, so it was always destined to be something of a quiet afternoon for me! As we waited for the game to commence, I reflected on my first visit to see the team in the capital this season, the 6-1 thrashing by Leyton Orient, and how far they had come since that time under the leadership of dynamic duo, Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood. From an uncoordinated rabble that was riven apart by division and lack of leadership, to a cohesive unit.
After a minute’s applause for recently deceased QPR legend, Tony Ingham, the kick-off was taken. There was some excitement as Newcastle went on the offensive almost from the off. Wayne Routledge fired in a cross, which was headed behind the goal by QPR’s Leigertwood. The resultant corner was also dropped invitingly into the area, this time by Guthrie, but the effort was cleared. A few minutes after this (about five oir six minutes in after checking), Guthrie attempted to supply Ameobi with what would have been an excellent chance, but the ball was out of control, which may have had as much to do with the highly ‘greasy’ playing surface as anything else. Around a couple of minutes later, Routledge made a decent turn and shoot, but, alas, he fired stright into the arms of the QPR goalkeeper, Radek Cerny. (more…)
Coca-Cola Championship winners 2009/2010.Newcastle United today finally had their chance to lift the Championship trophy that has appeared destined for Tyneside for the last few weeks.
A day of partying and festivities ensued on Tyneside as the lure of seeing our team lift a trophy for the first time in years finally got the better of the majority of fans who succumbed to at least a little party. Roy Keane’s Tractor Boys rolled into toon with the aim of spoiling the atmosphere and to their credit managed to take at least a bit of gloss off the celebrations as his side battled away for a 2-2 draw. The result wasn’t of massive importance and really you could say that the match took second stage to trophy precession. Today wasn’t about the football, or the result, although a win would have been nice. Today was about showing recognition to a bunch of players that have combined throughout the season to collectively drag the club back to the Premier League, headed by a manager in Chris Hughton who has guided them along the way and defied his critics many times throughout the course of the season. (more…)
Party time at Home Park last night.Scenes of delerium dominated Home Park in Plymouth last night as Newcastle finally achieved enough points to be crowned champions after last nights 2-0 victory.
There was no trophy presentation last night, that will come against Ipswich on Saturday in front of a packed out St James’ Park. Credit must go to the guy working the Plymouth PA system as he belted out a plethora of songs related to Newcastle United after the final whistle. It was a bit surprising given that the home side had just been relegated but it was welcomed with open arms by some away fan’s who made their way onto the pitch to join the players in celebration. Plymouth kicked off the hospitality with a banner saying “Congratulations Newcastle from the Green Army” greeting the players as they emerged from the tunnel before kick-off. I have to say that after last night I hope they can bounce straight back up after relegation and I can wholeheartedly say that I will be looking out for their results from now on. A proper club, with proper fan’s, and if they stick by Paul Mariner and John Carver they will be fine. (more…)
Kevin Nolan helped Newcastle United step within one point of picking up the Coca Cola Championship title, with a brace tonight against Reading at the Madejski Stadium. In a game which saw us below par, Reading may feel hard done by that any lingering hopes they had of making the play-offs all but disappeared with our victory by the odd goal.
However, as with many teams this season, Newcastle’s ability to score goals and grind out the result meant Reading would have to have a go and they were left wanting when it came to a cutting edge. In fact, it took a combination of Steve Harper, Jose Enrique and Danny Simpson producing an own goal before Reading got off the mark. At the other end, Kevin Nolan re-established himself as the club’s leading goalscorer with another two crucial goals, taking his tally for the season to 18 in all competitions. (more…)
Tangerine dreamers!I played a song recently for a mate who often goes to Newcastle games with me, though not the Blackpool game ironically. It was relevant because it was number one on his birthday back in 1991 and he’s just suffered the discomfort of turning 30. The song was “The One and Only” by Chesney Hawkes and it’s spun on ‘Old Skool’ nights in University and college dance-floors up and down the country.
It’s become a bit of a cult classic, as sh*t songs go, though unfortunately I’m old enough to remember it being released first-hand and to be honest I love it so bollocks to you all who hate it.
Anyway…, heading up to the Blackpool game on Saturday, with the sun bleaching down and a sea of black and white mixing in with the tangerine of the visitors, I couldn’t help but wonder about the words in the second verse of that song. Lowbrow though they may be to music snobs, the lines “High hopes and aspirations, and years above my station. Maybe but all this time I’ve tried to walk with dignity and pride”, hit home with a certain poignancy. Though I refrained from singing them out loud as I walked past the Strawberry… (more…)
Kevin Nolan helped Newcastle United step within one point of picking up the Coca Cola Championship title, with a brace tonight against Reading at the Madejski Stadium. In a game which saw us below par, Reading may feel hard done by that any lingering hopes they had of making the play-offs all but disappeared with our victory by the odd goal.