Excuse me for mentioning this again but I HAVE to get it off my chest!

Half time at SJP is hopeless - the announcer drones on continuously with birthday greetings and Geordie Jackpot numbers. However last night was the final straw for me. The Under 17s were waiting to do a lap of honour in appreciation of their season. The announcer must have told us the Geordie Jackpot numbers 50 times before announcing why the players were on the pitch and who exactly they were, by this time they'd walked half way around the pitch! Must have been a real let down for them (although they got a big cheer when everyone realised who they were).

Pathetic and unprofessional - oh I'm back talking about the team again!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Answers

I'm glad you reminded of this Lynda - like you I was furious. I've mentioned this before - they bring old, revered players like Frank Clark and Wyn Davies back to SJP, and then publicly embarrass them with a totally inadequate introduction to the crowd with no thought being given as to when is the most appropriate time to bring them out onto the pitch.

They did the same last night to an old favourite of mine, Dave Hilley. He got no build up, and was brought on at HT when the staium was 3/4 empty and he got barely a ripple of applause. Total embarrassment.

Then to compound the error, on came a bunch of young players with everyone still in the stadium saying "who are they"? During this the Announcer was rabbiting on and on about gowd knows what, until when the players were half way around the pitch he finally announced who they were.

As usual - amateurish, insensitive, embarrassing as hell for the participants, and just plain bloody pathetic.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Aaaahh yes, the joys of supporting Newcastle United. Unmatched in embaressing heroes of the past and future stars. I used to get much more entertainment out of watching old fellas fixing all the holes in the pitch. And then we'd have to sit through another 45 minutes of crap. I much prefer standing in the leazes trying to avoid not having some 30 stone lad relieve his bladder all over the back of me. Them were the days..

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

I went straight off to the toilet at half time and then waited for the replay of the goal on the screen which of course didn't come. I noticed a few people walking round the pitch on the screen but thought I'd rather stay in the tunnel which was a bit warmer. If there had been ANY announcement that the Under 17's would be coming out I'd hae ben there.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

'The teams are - Fulham, blahdee blahdee blah. Newcastle United - blahdee blahdee blah. Then at half time we'll be introducing So-and- so and Such-and-such. Why not hang around a few minutes and show your appreciation'.

If even I can figure out a solution as complicated as that, surely somebody at the club can.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

.....yup, it's real rocket science isn't it Pit Bill? Unfortunately, SJP isn't exactly overflowing with rocket scientists!

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

I made a special effort to remain behind at half time after reading your post on this Lynda. It is terrible this dirge of birthdays and jackpot numbers read in an uninterested monotone - he might as well be reading out the telephone directory. Surely no more than 20 people can be listening, presumably expecting a thrill from having their birthday mentioned. The birthdays would be far better included in the program and then the recipient would have a souvenir of the day without boring the other 50000 to death. The Jackpot numbers could be shown on those TV screens in the concourse - intermittent with any action replays they might be showing. The whole thing is a shambles and could do with a complete revamp.

Last season they had a kids match at half time which seems slightly more approriate and could be a bit of fun. As for presentation of the old United heroes, surely 10 mins before kick off would be more appropriate than presenting them to almost empty terraces at half time.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Jonno - I'm glad you're in agreement. The "returns" to SJP this season of former "heroes" Frank Clark, Wyn Davies and Dave Hilley have been an absolute disgrace to the Club. This was especially noticeable for me having taken part in the wonderful reception given to Wyn Davies at The Reebok earlier this season - which of course was much better organised. Last night's reception for Dave Hilley was the worst yet and just made my flesh creep.

I think a note to Mr. Cushing might be in order.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

Howay you lat 2 posters - it'll aal be a lot differnt next year when they announce your 60th birthdays ;-)

Total agreement. Do away with the birthday announcements (etc) and give us more entertainment/past heroes/youth teams. But as PB says, (too late for his 60th!!), a bit of pre-warning miht allow us to time the bladder-emptying a bit better.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

I might e mail the FLC about this and maybe Cushing as well.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

..... a few more bogs might help as well! ;o{)

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002

"The Under 17s were waiting to do a lap of honour in appreciation of their season."

Give them a few years and we can boo them off too! :-)

-- Anonymous, April 09, 2002