A bit of self-indulgence for Geordies

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John Aizelwood wrote a book about visiting the 92 league grounds in one season. He discusses his visit to Toon to watch Toon v Soton in Nov 1997 (2-1). "Occasionally, great moments come absolutely free...and I bask in the lmabent glow of what feels right. That's how I felt walking across the Tyne Bridge....It's green. I had no idea, a sort of pff-khaki and it works. The bridge is - and this is excatly the right word - beautiful...If I lived here (mmm, perhaps, I'd cross thsi bridge every day to nurture my soul a little. I know that like everyone else here except the loathsome Richy and Stona, I'd never graffitti this georgeous structure...

Walking back along the bridge into Newcastle....I look up and see the symbol of Tyneside towering over me like a giant womb. I feel so small, so comfortedm, so blessed to be here.. the football groubd - not Saint Nicholas's Cathedral or the quayside they're trying to redevelop - dominating the skyline, a modern-day castle keeping watch over the city. Saint James's Park is the only building that counts in this starnge, oddly coloured, other-wordly city. I stand on the Tyne Bridge and for this moment it's as a million exiled over-sentimental Geordies claim:there's no place like Newcastle. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up so rigidly that I start looking for a comb". That United are a city centre club links them into the psyche of the city itself...there's no opposition in Newcastle to divide the loyatly or passion and Sunderland don't really count, being the half-wit children down the road. A poster in shops says "Support the Toon, it's your duty" says everything in one sentimental, aggressive, blackmailing but community-minded phrase. ....how far can these people be pushed? It's love, to be sure, but it's mightily claustrophobic."

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000

Answers

I returned to the promise land to do 'the parent thing' last Thursday. I had to cross the bridge and follow the road up to St James'. An excellent feeling.

Coupled with a few pints and a trip to the Baha Beach Club with those scantily clad bottle sellers. What a wonderful place and if it wasn't for my job and girlfriend I would move back tomorrow!

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000


GLORIOUS self-indulgence, you mean , Dougal !! Thanks for that posting. I'm going to e-mail or fax or show that to every homesick Geordie expat I know.

If you can pick up on the spirit of Newcastle and that's what is represented by our team, then the city wraps its arms round your heart heart. But it's not claustrophobic to a Geordie, born or "babtised into the faith", it's something to be welcomed.

Know what you mean, De Builder. I'm starting to work on coming home within two years. I can't stay away any longer than that.

Daft, innit.

val.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000


Love it! Captures the feeling so well. Don't agree with the claustrophobic bit at all. Sounds like Tyneside is going to see an influx of bbsers in the next couple of years! :-)

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000

I'm a Durham lad along way from home, and when I see the cathederal, I almost feel like I'm home. I've spent most of my life in Durham yet I don't really feel I'm home until I see St James'. The journey back from the airport is so worthwhile, especially in traffic jams as I can gaze at St James' for longer.

I 've just tried to translate the above, posted by Dougal, to my girlfriend using a bit of English and a bit of Japanese.

Then few do. Even those who speak the language, they don't understand. There are no words that can be used to describe the way I feel when I see St James', so I won't even try.

Credit goes to those who are not Geordies and understand.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000


The toon army and the bridge...

I remember I was driving back from me mum & dad's in Lancashire (sorry, I'm a foreigner) and I'd come up the A19.

I had been listening to the 'Keegan div 1 champs/promotion' match on the radio, and was in a jubilant mood.

I was just heading onto the Tyne Bridge when I almost piled at 40mph into the back of a large group of people blocking the road. They were carrying the big black and white flag across the Tyne Bridge.

I keep trying to find photo's of that moment to see if my knackered blue Vauxhall Belmont has been captured for posterity. I may not have been at the match, but I was there when two Geordie icons met :-)

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000



I'm on my way back to the Golden City tonight!
Actually, I've only been away two weeks, and while this place (Scottsdale, Arizona) has to one one of the nicest on earth, I'm just about ready for 'home'.
The fact that there's a home match on Saturday just makes it that bit more special.
See you all soon.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2000

Love is .....

your first glimpse of SJP as you round the corner and trundle slowly over the railway bridge. Doesn't matter whether you've been doon south for several years or just for the day.

Heaven is ....

match day : a Greggs cheddar & coleslaw stottie in one hand, pint of bitter in the other.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


The first time I saw the bridge I was amazed at how familiar it looked. The next time I saw it I knew I'd come home.

p.s. Nowadays, seeing the bridge normally means I'm on my way in to work, which stirs up entirely different emotions :- (

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


Did you used to live in Sydney as well then Softy ?

;o}

PS. some old bounder seems to be having a dig at you on the Corinthian League thread .....

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


(drawls)Yeeeeeesss, I had noticed that, but am currently too busy looking for the 12 bore to answer the whippersnapper.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


Try over there, next to that well-thumbed book 'Football Coaching for Dummies".

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000

Marvellous stuff Dougal.

And a smack in the mouth for those who were telling us how nice the weather was in other less fortunate parts of the world ... (-;

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


hahahaha....it's yet ANOTHER beautiful day over here ;))

17degrees at 8am this morning and it must be up in the 20's now....sat outside a pub for the last two nights on the trot....

Now if only I could get the Tyne Bridge, Angel and St James's over here then I'd be sorted :))

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


Absolutely thrilling. I just can't wait my first visit to Newcastle. I was in England for two toon away matches last october but didn't actually never get to Newcastle. Eh well propably because too many pints and too few pounds. Should have known better. The aim was to take a train to Newcastle and atleast walk around the SJP. Thousands of times. But all your comments makes it sound even better I have earlier thought. If that is possible.

Cheers to you all from Finland, Jussi.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


And it doesn't pall seeing it nearly every day coming in to work by metro. What a view. SJP stands out like a sore thumb now. Great stuff.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2000


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