I was talking to my nephew about football the other day and rapidly concluded that, while he supports Newcastle to the extent that he supports any football team, he is more interested in Formula One. In fact, the only time he's been animated about Newcastle was after a rumour had been circulating around his class (he goes to school in Newcastle) that a first teamer was playing away from home and he and his classmates were thinking about calling the NOTW!! It turns out that only one one lad in his whole year goes to the match regularly. This is really, really sad. I offered to buy my nephew a ST for next season but he frankly couldn't be arsed. I was slightly heartened by the fact that none of them are Man United supporters but it seems that football is no longer the spectactor sport of first choice of an entire generation. Makes me very sad.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Answers

"... football is no longer the spectactor sport of first choice of an entire generation."

An ENTIRE generation? Don't you think you are over reacting somewhat? You didn't mean that did you?

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Fraid I did. Kids who go to football or are even interested in it seem to be the exception rather than the norm. I mean when only one lad in a year of about a hundred in the heart of Newcastle actually goes to games, it's appalling.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

It might be appalling Dougal, but not that surprising. When I was a lad (yeah, yeah, Noah had just landed), yuo could go to SJP every week without having an adult take you and it didn't cost an arm and a leg. Now, I'd be very surprised if any kids can get in without an adult, and it costs big time.

Also, there's far more to interest a kid growing up these days - Video, computers not to mention a lot more other sports. They simply didn't exist. I bet he doesn't play much football either. Right? Playing football was about the only recreation for most kids in our day, so going to a match was a natural progression from kicking a tin can round in the back lane.

Sad, but true.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

I agree. Kids don't go out and kick a ball around as the first thought that enters their head, there are too many other things to do.

As for actually going to the match, Ben enjoys it, and is only 10, but he doesn't have the obsessiveness I had at that age. If I wasn't taking him he'd never go. If there is a game on the box and it's us he'll maybe watch, and wants to see goal replays (he'll be lucky !!), if it's ANY other game he's not really bothered.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

You can't help thinking that these massive superstadia etc are going to white elephants before too much longer.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Perhaps its NUFC's season ticket policy.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

You're right Safc Fan. Sunderland's policy will certainly keep their fan base young in terms of attendees at matches.

At the end of the day, success on the pitch will be the best determant of Season Ticket sales, so here's hoping for next season.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Out of my two lads who share a ticket, the oldest (12 year old) isn't that interested. He only goes for the treat of a large donner after the game. The eight year old likes going but when a friend offers him a tenner for his ticket , he always takes it.

The maKems, have a good policy for kids, mind you they have got 10,000 more seats to fill next season, they are even trying to entice youngsters on Tyneside. They are targetting our youngsters by offering cheaper, better, more interesting coaching courses on Tyneside, which is a bit worrying.

As for Newcastle, yes we are virtually at capacity, but a bigger Family enclosure should be made .The family enclosure at newcastle was enlarged last season, but all the seats were taken before I was even sent an application. It should have been twice the size, To do this they could relocate the 800 seats around the Sports Bar in the middle of the SJH stand, moving them back to the Milburn, where the few hundred empty seats currently are .

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

If Newcastle get it right on the playing field the rest will correct itself. The apathy is borne out of dismal performances especially at home, I felt elated after the Leeds home game at xmas but it's steadily nose dived to the depths of Man City & M'boro since.

The whole of the region was buzzing with anticipation for the FA Cup final v's Arse, everybody was aware of the importance, if that could have filtered to the players we would be feeling the benefits now, instead we've got limbo.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Dougal, I think you're overreacting. I went to school on the Isle of Man. At my old gaff if you'd spent a saturday at the football match, you could forget about the canteen (not altogether a bad thing as I remember). When you look at the potential of children of that age, maybe it's better to look at the millions of them who wear toon shirts when doing p.e. These are the season ticket holders of the future, and like the market of the present, they will probably be more interested in going to watch Newcastle if and when we field a good side.
Pepsi Cola will always be popular, as will walkers crisps - but football has more of an ebb and flow about it. It's not going to disappear, yet.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

Rik wrote: He only goes for the treat of a large donner after the game. I used to know her, didn't realise she was still working the Toon!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2001

It isn't just Newcastle - go to any PL ground and there aren't that many bairns there.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001