Interesting article in The Sun (That's THE Sun, the NE Sunday paper not the national daily which stole it's name) on Sunday, "What a difference a decade makes!". Tracks the progress of the NE big 3, Newcastle, Middlesbro and - hang on just let me look at the article again...

The numbers are interesting as follows (cash figures in £m) :-

Turnover91 N 4 S 4.15 B 3.09
Turnover01 N 60.2 S 36.3 B 38
Ground Capacity91 N 30348 S 31887 B 30000
Ground Capacity01 N 52226 S 48300 B 35500
Ave League gate91 N 16879 S 19569 B 17023
Ave League gate01 N 51309 S 46614 B 30590
Record Transfer fee91 N 0.85 S 0.45 B 0.7
Record Transfer fee01 N 15 S 4.5 B 8

Staggering growth, in such a short time. These numbers remind us of just how far the game has come in the past decade.

Gavin Peacock is interviewed for the Toon, Bennet, for Sunderland and Fleming for Boro, who is still there. Peacock speaks warmly of the promotion side - the most focussed team he has ever known. He remembers Ranson telling him when he arrived -"If it ever takes off here this club will be big time". Peacock says he had already formed that impression "because the fans were incredibly loyal to us during some pretty dark days...Ray convinced me the club just needed the slightest spark and the whole thing would explode.

Something most of us knew long before that. I recall my disbelief in the 60's that such a well supported club could not compete at the top. That's why I rejoiced when Hall came in and kicked out the deadwood that had held us back for so long. I put down the recent backpeddling mainly to poor team management and poor transfers since KK's departure. The board could probably do better (and have made appalling mistakes esp the Save Our Seats fiasco) but they are still well ahead of their pre 1990 predecessors in terms of ambition.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Answers

I read it. Rather than painting a rosey picture about the current situation, it reminded me of the pittiful depths NE football had sunk to by 1991. Although SAFC were in the 1st division at the time (couertesy of Lou Macari), we were certainly not "established". All 3 clubs had recently been in - or flirted with relegation to - Division 3, facilities were invariably crap and the region as a whole was feeling the effect of the Tories' economic agenda.

The reviving factor, as much as any Reid/Keegan/Robson, has been the passion (I wouldn't say loyalty, if we were loyal where were we all in 1991?) of the fans. The willingness of NE folk to watch entertaining, affordable football has been undiminished by 40-odd years of shite, something we should all take a bow for.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

I'm impressed, Lurker. I expected one of you lot to point out that SAFC had higher turnover, larger capacity and better average gates than NUFC back in 1991. Instead a strangely well-balanced comment on NE football support in general...:-)

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

"entertaining, affordable football" well, that's one out of three for the makems then.

Sorry ML, couldn't resist. How much of the upturn has been managed by the clubs, the creation of a premiership league, STY telly or the fans?

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

No worries Bob, I have had at least 2 matches' entertainment in the last few seasons.

You put valid points. But I think you only have to compare the likes of NUFC, SAFC and Boro with successful 80's clubs like Luton Town, Oldham, Wimbledon and Crystal Palace to appreciate the fan-factor.

Several other "yo-yo" clubs have had the opportunity to establish themselves in the premiership, but with a smaller consumer-base to exploit merchandising and gates, the Sky money alone is not enough.

By and large, the well supported teams have risen to the top in English football, which is the way it should be.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

I thought this was something to do with Alvin Lee.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001

Well I'm pleased you got the Alvin Lee reference TGJ - You know I've been trying to think up his second name all afternoon - I knew it was Alvin something and I remember seeing them at Newcastle City Hall in a prior century.

Good points ML - mind I would not question loyalty. As a club declines there is no point in going week in week out if you aren't enjoying yourself - what's the point? If NUFC could sell 40,000 season tickets in the lower reaches of Div 1 every season there'd be little incentive on the club to improve things. But yes, the NE is a hotbed of football passion and Newcastle and Sunderland sit proudly at 2nd and 3rd in last years attendance figures some way behind the AntiChrists.

-- Anonymous, July 17, 2001