Why We're Coming To Newcastle

Having gotten wind of our blog/tweet and our plans to visit Newcastle for the first time next spring, BBC Radio 5 asked us to come on their 5 live Drive show yesterday to talk about why we've chosen to follow Newcastle United, and, in host Aasmah Mir's words, "What is the appeal of paying a small fortune and flying halfway round the world to watch a football match?" I represented the blog on the show, and while I was able to get the gist across, the schedule ran late and we were squeezed into the final three minutes without much chance to elaborate. (You can hear the interview in the 5 live Drive archive here - slide the time marker almost to the end at 2:57:30.) Here's more of what I would've liked to have said, in case we don't get another chance, though Aasmah did voice an interest in having us back.

If this were a blog about art or opera, no one would ask us why we as Americans would be interested in the Louvre or La Scala, or why we'd pay a fortune to visit Paris or Milan. Yet we get that question about soccer and England, even though the best soccer on earth is played there. Sport seems to be viewed by the culture outside it as unimportant and unserious, and the time and money spent following it as frivolous.

I wholeheartedly disagree. In fact, under my Italian name I used to blog about opera, and I gave it up for this, largely because soccer matters more. The most enthusiastic operagoers on earth don't jump up and down and hug each other after a really good aria, or wear the same outfits as their favorite characters. We as soccer fans learn more about life in watching our team conquer or be conquered by a rival than watching actors conquer each other on stage according to a script. When our team conquers, we conquer; when our team is conquered, we are conquered. We celebrate and suffer along with our players, and it changes our character more profoundly - for better or worse - than the most poignant and well-presented operas.

That's what led us to Newcastle United. Soccer is more than fun to us. It matters. So we chose the club that seemed to matter most to its city and fans. In that light, the question of why we would want to visit Newcastle is close to nonsensical. How better to understand the passion for Newcastle United than to share it with those who were born into it? We've been grateful for how readily we've been accepted by Newcastle's native supporters, here on the blog and on Twitter and in person by the many Geordies we met on the club's US tour last summer. We can't wait to see home for the first time.

Comments

[Lualua17]

That interview was fantastic. If I see you out and about when your in Newcastle I will definitely get you lot a pint in. You will absolutely love your visit, watching on telly is one thing but making actually experiencing it live is something else. Especially if you get a game like the Arsenal 4-4 I will never forget that as long as I live. Anyway lads keep up the good work promoting us in the U.S.A .

[Porciestreet]

I'm a Chicago Bears fan and would so love to visit Soldier Field so I know and feel your excitement at coming to the "Cathedral". It will take your breath away as it did me when I first saw S james Park for the first time, albeit somewhat less of a spectacle than it is today.
Have a great visit lads and i hope you are blessed with a good win. Hawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay the Lads.

[David Guilfoyle]

they wouldn`t`ve asked you why you`re doing if you`s were coming to watch chelsea or man ure would they? get in there, enjoy ya visit

[rynkidink]

"Fans that wear the same outfits as their favorite characters," "jump up and down and hug each other," set in England, sounds a bit like Harry Potter! Seriously, I am only a newcomer to the sport and I feel myself taken up with it and getting up early for the weekly matches, enjoying it much more than American football. Maybe I should do some fund raising and tag along to England. Have fun!

[Tom]

Nice interview. Enjoy your visit, you'll love it here. Its a smashing Toon. If you lads want advise where to go/visit while you're here, feel free to ask.

[Richard]

Heard the interview so thought I had to look at this site. Loved the comment about you not supporting Newcastle because of winning unlike glory hunters who support other teams!! It can be frustrating to support them at times to say the least, but we're widely recognised as having one of the most faithful group of supporters. Haway the lads!

[swemag]

Which game are u going to? Swedish toon fan based in montreal, canada here. Planning a trip in nov/dec. Cannot wait.

[Matt]

Stoke in March is the match we're planning to attend - Bob mentioned it on the 5 live interview, so I guess that means we're fairly certain on that.

Thanks to everyone who listened to the segment, and we may indeed take you all up on your offers of drinks and/or advice. It's been an incredible ride so far, and no doubt going to SJP will make it that much more awesome.

[geordiepat]

I didn't catch the radio show (any links?) but always enjoy reading the blog - the next best thing to the legendary nufc.com for interesting Toon match reports and snappy reportage. Hope you enjoy the experience and be sure to ask us locals if you want any tips on what to see and do whilst in the city. Keep up the good work lads!

[Bob]

Hey Geordiepat, thanks for the good words. There's a link to the BBC 5 broadcast in the post, first paragraph. And we'll be definitely be asking for travel tips as the trip approaches. Such as: Where are the good pubs to hang out and talk football...come to think of it, that may be the only tip we really need...