The Conundrum Of An American Newcastle Fan

Editor's note: Readers of this blog will have noticed a lack of posts and podcasts as this season has worn on. Life events for all four of us have played their parts, but this post may also explain why we haven't felt compelled to write, rant or record of late.  

For about the past nine years, I've performed a daily ritual. Regardless of my schedule, at some point I've grabbed my computer or phone — or stolen my wife's iPad — to get my fix. My vice? All things Newcastle United, from transfer rumors to injury updates to youth team results.

There have been a few exceptions: the days around the birth of my son, a vacation here and there, a family gathering. But the hours I've logged reading about players who became stars at Newcastle (like Yohan Cabaye), prospects who never made it (like Wesley Ngo Baheng) and even long-rumored transfer targets who never arrived (Per Ciljan Skjelbred, anyone?) clocks in well above the healthy amount.

That's the reality of cheering for a European soccer team as an American: the Internet is your gateway to your chosen club. There are no weekend walks to the stadium. Hell, even a genuine conversation with another human being about your team can be hard to find, particularly when you root for an English club not named Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea.

Once I cast my lot with Newcastle in 2006, the club quickly became a thing of fantasy, a love that I could indulge for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning and then daydream about for another week. Part of the appeal in choosing Newcastle as my team was that the club had room to grow; it wasn't in a position to financially strong arm its way to trophies, but it wasn't that far removed from the Big Four. Any team drawing 50,000 each week had a chance, right?

Nine years later, I don't know what to think of Newcastle. The stadium is still great. The fans are crazy, most of the time in good ways. But is following this club from afar genuinely enjoyable? The fantasy has eroded, to the point that my morning scans of NewsNow now feel like a mix of forced habit and acts of desperation, merely in the hope the club has done something, anything to excite me. 

I'm not interested in rooting for a team that relies on oil money to win trophies. I don't need an international all-star lineup on the field. But I want entertainment. I want some feeling of connection with my team. The powers that be at Newcastle — make that the power that is — have repeatedly shown they cherish mediocrity, in all of its boring, predictable splendor. There is no imagination, no sense of possibility, just a set of financial records that treats players purely as assets who contribute to yearly profits.

What, then, is the point of me watching from nearly 4,000 miles away? I didn't grow up with black and white in my blood. I've never had the luxury of taking my seat at St. James' Park. I should be watching Premier League soccer for enjoyment, not to fulfill an obligation.

At this point, though, I've sunk enough time and emotion into my Newcastle fandom that I can't envision switching my English soccer allegiance. But I wonder if the same holds true for newer American fans ... or those who stumble upon NBC Sports Network on a Saturday morning and notice the team in the black and white jerseys.

This is the saddest part of Newcastle's descent into international irrelevancy — soccer interest, particularly in the Premier League, is on the rise in this country. Watching games over here has never been easier. With some effort — another summer tour and a little fan outreach — Newcastle might have made a dent in the designer clubs' grip on the American soccer public. Instead, the club doesn't seem too interested. Just ask our friends @ToonArmyAmerica.

The rest of this season will play out like we all know it will: an up-and-down slog to a mid-table finish. Ninth at best, 13th at worst. The summer may bring a new head coach, but the overall plan won't change. Moussa Sissoko will leave, with his transfer fee paying for the striker and center back the club should have signed last month. Next season's standout performer will be rumored to be on the move in January. And on and on. This is the Newcastle way of life.

The question is: How long will we all keep watching?

Comments

[daniel]

Really good post and its funny how someone so far away without any connection to Newcastle can hit the nail on the head!

[chuck]

So what exactly is your point, it's tough being a Newcastle fan ?

As a youngster I can remember the three Newcastle FA cup wins in the early fifties having spent time in Newcastle, but subsequently moving to NYC where there were no broadcasts of any football games, only the odd newspaper reports, that was tough.

But to-day, every Newcastle game is available, most of which I watch,
In which case what's your problem ?

Watch if you want to, otherwise go support Man. U. or Citeh!

[Marc D]

Daniel's is somewhat missing the point -- to such an extent that I'm not ever sure he read it.

The point is spot on -- it's very hard to become excited about and motivated by a club who have little interest beyond how many millions the (multi billionaire) owner can extract each year.

I've barely missed a home game in thirty years -- I plan on missing more next season than I have in all of that time.

[JT from Suckerpunch]

It's tough. It's very tough. Part of the bitterness is living in Central Florida and seeing the non-stop onslaught of Man Red and Blue, Barca, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and the occasional Liverpool jerseys all around me. Hardly any Toon fans at all. This is a great soccer community, but you would think with the amount of transplants we get down here, somebody would start a supporters club at a bar. Hasn't happened yet. You walk into a spacious and honestly well-stocked soccer emporium here, and they act like they've never heard of our club. Ridiculous.

The point of my post is this: it is something very special to be a Newcastle fan in this country. You didn't just pick a top squad because their gear was easy to find, or they were winning trophies, or they were in the top headlines, or you were surrounded by like-minded fans, for whatever reason you chose the Toon, it was far more substantial than something as easy as those reasons why most kids here are wearing Chevy logos across their chests this season.

Is it always fun? Obviously not. I liken my love of Newcastle to that of being a die-hard Cubs fan. Huge and loyal fan base, very little to show for it in over 100 years. A few splashes of getting thiiiiiiiis close to glory, only to be walking away singing the "There's always next year" song. That's us. However, except for one year where we finished bottom 3, we haven't been "THAT" bad. I know support for a squad can dry up when it becomes abundantly clear that mediocrity is not only acceptable, but the goal, for the owner. But isn't it grand that each year, we always come back, with fresh perspective and a renewed zeal, at least for a few weeks, before the dullness sets in and we hope for a top 10 finish if possible.

I hope each day Ashley sells to a Toon zealot who will do anything to bring success Tyneside, but until that day comes, I will still get up very early on the weekends, put on my black and white, and cheer til' I'm hoarse for my Magpies. I will always do this, win or lose, because I refuse to give myself either an option or an out. And I will do my best to lure other "new fans" of this burgeoning sport towards our team, both blessing and cursing them, because it is so much more enjoyable to watch with friends. As a fan in America, what more can I possibly do?

[Jarrett]

Agree with a lot of what JT said. My buddy got me into EPL in December of 2013. For good or bad, it was a perfect storm that led me to NUFC - they weren't one of the typical teams American soccer fans gravitate towards, they had a few star-type players that were fun to watch, and they were top half of the table. Now I'm hooked, even if they're pretty blah most weeks. I won't be jumping ship. It definitely has been helpful that the same buddy also did some digging for me and found the Toon bar in Milwaukee. Makes it easier to be mediocre when you don't have to do it alone.

[Nick nack]

Hey Marc D i am in central florida and a me and a couple of other transplants get together for a pint and a chat about the toon every couple of weeks. Come to a Orlando city game and adk for nick nack in the ruckus supporters section

[Uday]

Great write man.. I completely agree with you. Ive contemplated not following the team anymore but it's difficult once you've put 16 years into following one and only one team.

[jaeger]

i guess the hope hasn't left me yet. I know that with Ashley around we'll never spend 20mil+ in a year unless we sell for 30m. With that said, say we go on a run as in oct/nov 2014 or something like the 11-12 season, and pull off a european placehold, I could see ashley making an 'investment' to repeatedly getting a bonus for european qualification. Hopefully, we get there before rangers that he leaves his stake in the club.

still get excited watching the boys and getting a win and scoring over the past 5-6 years

[FCDrunk]

Important piece. I 100% get the feeling. My biggest aggravation comes from the lack of push from the club to gain American support with all of the coverage here in the US nowadays. Hard to justify to anyone why they should support the Toon. My grandmother expressed interest in the sport, and I suggested she go Arsenal or Spurs. At least they show respect for their supporters abroad. In no way, shape, or form am I ever going to desert the Toon, but the club and their form over the past few years have made it hard to put in a full effort week to week.

[Adam]

Very satisfied with the result today. This club deserves to be relegated, and this is one fan who is hoping for that to happen. If that is the only way NUFC can rid itself of Mike Ashley, Lee Charnley, Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson, et. al, I am for it.

A club that does not carry itself like a professional sports club does not deserve to be in the Premier League.

Simple.

[Rob M]

Looks like this could have been written after today's 5- 0 shellacking...not entertaining at all!

[Barret Gosen]

You don't just switch teams. You know Newcastle's MO, and you know what you're getting in to. My advice to you is to stop being a baby. Sorry for being blunt.

[andyb]

As a fan that stood on the terraces at St James' in my teens & now watch from afar, I feel your pain Tom but unfortunately its built into the system these days. When watching the Packers of the 80's you'd be forgiven for thinking they'd never get back to the top but the financial system in American football allowed a re-set ... it took a decade but it can & does happen regularly but it's impossible in soccer. The current financial structure of UK & world football allows a small cabal of super rich teams to dominate with the odd 2nd tier team having a career season once in a while & until that structure is changed the citeh's, chelski's & barca's will always eat our lunch & throw us the scraps. On Saturday, Citeh's reserve player's cost more that all our starters so what's the surprise that they dominated. IMO its the system that's the most depressing & until the fans or the bosses force a change nothing's gonna be different... if you put a middle weight in the ring with a heavyweight guess who's gonna get knocked out.

[Meditative Mag]

Your article hits the spot and as a heart felt statement from someone who clearly feels for the club I really don't understand those who might criticise you. As a long term supporter of the club I personally will continue though at a distance. The distance being far enough for Mr Ashley not to reach into my pocket and take my cash.

[Barret Gosen]

So is this blog just done? Like that?

[Tom]

Barret - I wouldn't say the blog is definitively done at this point, just on a bit of a hiatus. The reality is that the four of us have all had life situations crop up, which, when combined with apathy about the pathetic way the club is being run at the moment, has made it difficult to maintain the blog. We will see what the future holds.