Your football club is not special. Sorry. Your football club is not unique, it
is not different and is no more distinctive and romantically captivating
than any of the little quadrangles with floodlights littered throughout our
land. Sorry.
Do not get me wrong, I know you think that it is special. I get that. I
understand that, to you, your club is magical and wonderful and no outsider
can hope to empathise with its complex and inimitable nature. You believe
that no other club exists with the same passion or emotion and your
sincerity is appreciated. It is just that, well, you are wrong. Sorry.
Whether blighted by tragedy or blessed by glory, whether filling a stadium
with tens of thousands or surviving on a pittance and the devotion of a
handful of diehards, just as you feel about your football club, so do
millions of others. Everyone thinks that they have the prettiest wife at
home, as Arsène Wenger said. Everyone thinks that they have the love
supreme. But if everybody is special, then nobody is. So, Liverpool: not
special. Manchester United: not special. Luton Town: not special. West Ham
United: not special. Newcastle United: not special. Sorry.
Kevin Keegan talked a grand game in his opening address at St James’ Park. He
divided the country into us and them: the good guys being the hard-toiling,
blue-collar communities of the North East – bless them, for they are the
salt of the earth – while beyond lie the London-based media and
theatre-loving types who are against him, sneering and mocking and never
knowing what makes his football club so rare. And at first his words seemed
clever.
How smart instantly to tap into the shared humanity of the region, the vain
belief that one little square of land is in some way superior to another
patch 50 miles away, that its people have different and worthier values and
aspirations. But on closer inspection, there is only one conclusion. Keegan
had better have more than a chorus of Blaydon Races in his locker or
it will be a long road ahead.
A few years ago, Derren Brown, the psychological illusionist, performed a
trick in which he interviewed a group of strangers individually for a short
period, to build up a distinctive mental profile. He then went away and
wrote up these singular reports, handing them at random to the group. There
were no names on the envelopes, but the instruction was to read what was
inside and if a person believed that he had received his profile he should
swap with a neighbour.
To a man, everybody attempted to change. And here is the trick. Each report
was the same. There were no individual profiles, just one duplicated study.
Brown played on human vanity, on our belief that we are special and
different, to prove that we are basically the same. For instance, he wrote
that the person in question was such a perfectionist that he sometimes
struggled to achieve his aims. We would all like to believe that. We would
all prefer to think that it is our quest for perfection that leads to
failure, not ineptitude or inadequacy. And that is how it is at Newcastle.
They love the No 9 shirt on Tyneside and this is beguiling, but every club has
its quirks, its iconic figures, memories and meanings that set it apart. In
truth, the Toon is kidding itself. Equating failure to win a serious trophy
since 1969 with a special affinity with cavalier football is just as flawed
as the conviction that the best team lost the title in 1995-96, when
Newcastle blew a 12-point lead.
In fact, Manchester United, the eventual champions, beat them home and away
that season, with an aggregate score of 3-0. Southampton defeated Newcastle,
too, as did Chelsea, West Ham, Arsenal, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers.
Indeed, in his previous time as Newcastle manager, when the team was in the
top division and strong enough to win a trophy, Keegan lost domestic
cup-ties against Wimbledon, Luton, Manchester City, Everton, Arsenal,
Chelsea and Middlesbrough. There were high times and exciting times, yes,
but not every moment was perfect. Far from it.
Keegan got a special welcome on Saturday, too, but when the match began, it
was not enough to inspire a win over Bolton Wanderers. Newcastle regards
itself as a club apart because, in almost 40 years, what else could define
it but the intangible? Unfortunately, the Premier League is not school
sports day. Everyone is not a winner and nobody is special, despite what
King Kev may tell the faithful.
Arsenal must not win
Usually it is easy for the neutral to cheer on Arsenal. They play beautiful
football and rarely take a backward step. What is not to like? For once,
though, in the Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur, it would be
good if the better team lost.
Arsenal do not truly care for this competition. Wenger uses it merely to give
experience to his fringe and youth-team players and if they lose, no
problem. Even when his team reach the final, he stays committed to the
experiment.
Yet the second-leg matches this week are intriguing because, for three of the
four teams, winning would be a huge deal. Juande Ramos has his eyes on
Europe and on winning a trophy within six months of taking charge at
Tottenham, while Everton deserve finite reward for the excellent work of
David Moyes as manager. Avram Grant will send out Chelsea’s first team
because he is playing catchup with José Mourinho, who always knew the worth
of the least fashionable domestic tournament.
If Wenger could reach the final again with his kindergarten team, it would be
a fabulous achievement, but this is not what Arsenal are about this season.
For the renaissance of the Carling Cup to continue, it must be won by a club
who truly value it.
G’day to you too, mate
I would like to thank the readers who expressed concern for my mental health
after I failed to be bowled over by the appointment of Kevin Keegan at
Newcastle United. Most particularly, David Moodie, of Wikiki, Western
Australia – although he may mean Waikiki, which is a suburb of Perth –
who wrote: “Whatever your problem is, mate, get over it and try to look for
a few positives in life. What a sad guy.”
Mr Moodie can rest assured that each morning I rise with a song in my heart to
offer a prayer of gratitude for all the many positives in my existence, the
first of which is that I do not live in Wikiki, Western Australia. I did
have a rough night on Friday, though. I dreamt I was in Perth and could not
find the return ticket.
Diarra’s reality check
Lassana Diarra signed for Portsmouth and was talking of leaving as he walked
through the door. “The people here know I will not spend my life at this
club,” he said. “If I shine, a really big club will want me.” Except Diarra
was at a big club, Chelsea, and then he was at another, Arsenal, and neither
wanted him because, plainly, he was not good enough. He arrogantly believes
Portsmouth to be a stepping stone. More likely, he has found his level.
Talk about dedication
Havant & Waterlooville’s win over Swansea City was not the only cup shock
last week. In the FA Youth Cup, Carlisle United knocked out Manchester
United in front of a crowd that included Sir Alex Ferguson. Isn’t that
incredible? Not Carlisle’s win, but Ferguson, whose team are top of the
Barclays Premier League, taking time to watch his youth team in action
against unfashionable opposition. Take a good look, missus, there will never
be another.
Why Brown is available
Wes Brown is out of contract at Manchester United this summer. Buyer beware.
He looks good at right back in the best defence in the country right now,
but there will be no central defensive pairing as strong as Rio Ferdinand
and Nemanja Vidic at his next club and no presence as lively as Cristiano
Ronaldo to occupy opponents who would normally attack down his flank. Brown
at any other club could be a very different player. United are prepared to
lose him to a rival and they would not do that without reason.
martin.samuel@thetimes.co.uk
You missed the point. His address was directed to the fans of Newcastle, not Fleet Street and the Premier League. Newcastle is special to Kevin Keegan. Neither Keegan nor the fans of Newcastle believe they have a god-given right to win everything, nor a desire to be 'everybody's favourite second team' (I guarantee no Newcastle fan came up with that corny and irrelevant epithet).
But Keegan and the Newcastle fans want to see entertaining, positive football. They do not want to pay their way to far-flung away grounds (and for Geordies, they are all far-flung) and watch their team fail to have a go. That's why Sam Allardyce was sacked. Its a commendable aim -good for everyone. Isn't this what football should be about?
What's wrong with that? Don't be negative and please, don't patronise us.
Sav, Wexford, Ireland
I'm glad somebody finally realizes that the grass is not always greener on your own pitch. Sometimes it's muddy, sometimes it's dead, and in rare instances it's fake. I hope those metaphors help you sleep tonight.
Liviu Bird, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
its blazing races
c barker, chester,
I'd like Tottenham and Newcastle fans to define "entertainment," because they always want this brand of football that inevitably leads to being picked off because of a lack of defensive ability. Personally, I find seeing them lose at home, erm, entertaining
Craig, Bolton,
A journalist telling the truth, maybe Newcastle will win something. Newcastles fans like any others want it all, great manager, great players. good football and TROPHIES. You hear the same comments from Spurs fans - they want entertaining football. That's because you will at least look good as you lose. In truth a boring 1 - 0 FA or Carling cup final win would make them ecstatic. Special fans, there are thousands who follow their small town teams in the lower divisions. They are not pretencious, they just want their team ( not a PLC ) to win.
TONY CUNNINGHAM, ROCHDALE, GTR. MANCHESTER
Martin. I don't support Newcastle, I support Liverpool. Despite Newcastle not having won a trophy in my lifetime (I'm not that young), they still get over 50,000 fans every week. This makes them special. It really does.
Joe, Los Angeles, CA
M L Edwards....Scotty was beamed down to the planet West Ham!
Peter Koeb, Geneva, Switzerland
To Martin,
Put a sock in it. We enjoy our football. End of. We are a one team city - so what? So are Sunderland, Portsmouth. and Leeds. Why dont you write about them?
By writing a story on Newcastle (again) the media in this country cant seem to get enough of us. Strange that? I apologise to other supporters but it truly baffles us Geordies that the likes of Samuels are constantly writing patronising stories about the team whether factually correct or not. Dont get me started about the Sky coverage. We do want entertaining football and Allerdyce wasnt going to deliver that - anybody who has seen Newcastle this season would have been bored stiff. Now it is the turn of Liverpool (simliar city and much in common) to get the 'media' treatment.
Obi Kwan, Newcastle,
Heh, that theatre comment REALLY rankled didn't it. ;-)
D Dortman, Darlington,
How wonderful that Ritchie Mint in attempting to prove how Martin Samuel is wrong about his assesment of Newcastle United, he has managed to provide the very reason that makes this article right. You can always count on the Geordie nation to provide sweet sweet irony when attempting to defend their club whenever somebody points out to them that they're not as great as they think they are.
Gregg, Newport, South Wales.
All this rubbish about Newcastle fans annoys me. They demand flamboyant football, do they? Other than Keegan and Robson, tell me when they have enjoyed this. The drab far outweighs the good. Most 'Toon' (how childish) fans can't remember who was manager before Keegan, and what kind of state the blub was in before he joined. This proud tradition is a fantasy made up by lazy journalists and supporters all too happy to go along with the myth.
Rich Purdom, Durham, England
Martin, thanks for highlighting what the vast majority of football fans have known for many a year, in fact the Geordies can't even claim the top spot for most deluded fans anymore as I'm afraid that they've been topped in that category by the fans of both Spurs and Liverpool in recent years. As to them being special just for being in a remote corner of the land why do supporters of Carlisle, Norwich and Plymouth not spout the same guff as the average Geordie, we've had to put up with this piffle for decades now, hotbed of football, knowledgeable fans and most preposterous of all the Geordie nation, although that has been topped recently by the scouse not English brigade, chumps and buffoons the lot of 'em.
kevin denis hennessy, milton keynes, england
As a 'Spurs supporter I think most Newcastle fans are special.Their love of attacking football,with plenty of goals is similar to Tottenham's attitude.This was why George Graham was sacked and why Sam Allardice was sacked.Both sets of fans want entertainment first of all,and would rather not win anything if it meant simply defending a lead for 80 odd minutes.I recall the fans at Tottenham when Graham was in charge all chanting "we want our Spurs back" after watching the team play with no ambition.I hope Keegan will put on over on Ferguson also (and obviously) Ramos shows Wenger a thing or two also.
Mike, Dunstable, England
Mr Samuel fails to recognise three things. First, for better or worse, Newcastle's geographical position and the strong local culture and identification does tie supporters more to the team than is the case in, say, London or Birmingham. For many, supporting Newcastle is part of being a Geordie. Second, Newcastle is the largest English city with only one team, which acts a powerful unifying factor. Third, and this is what 'outsiders', including Allardyce and Samuel, just cannot understand: Newcastle supporters put a much higher value on entertainment than the supporters of other clubs. Of course we want to win too if possible, but Keegan is being welcomed back because of how we played under him: we are quite well aware of the fact that he won nothing last time round (though he came very close!).
Neill, Manchester,
I wholeheartly agree newcastle are no more special than any other clubs to there supporters. it make a pleasent change for someone in the media not to spout the normal garbage about certain clubs being more special. Great article Martin.
Les, Mitcham, Surrey
'To us our club is special, special in a way that no other club can be to their supporters. You wouldn't understand that as you aren't a Newcastle supporter.' yes, yes, yes...Pete
Look. Newcastle is simply another city in a country obsessed with football and the tribalism it brings. Scousers say the same tosh about Liverpool, and also suffer under the delusion that the rest of us sort of admire them for their pluck and passion. It's called vanity and hubris. And excessive pride....so let's look forward to the inevitable fall. Toon for the Championship!
jonathan anthony, london,
Dear mr samuel as a hearts fan edinburgh born and bred used to dissapointment !!!! My english team are NEWCASTLE UNITED FC I really hope that you are wrong and that all newcastle fans can live the dream as we deserve I believe in KEEGAN and one day you will eat your words > BELIEVE !!!!!
SEAMUS ROBERTSON, GRIMSBY,
Martin you have proved Kevin Keegan right again You have no knowledge or idea just how big Newcastle and under king Kev this time
Your so called super clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea will fade out of winning trophies as King Kevs Crusade marches on
Theres no colour in the world just Black & White
George Bainbridge, Hartlepool, UK
Talk about missing the point. Martin Samuel was simply pointing out that all football fans think their club is special which means that none of them are. In fact, all football clubs and all football fans are the same - nothing at all marks us out from each other. Except, of course, for Millwall - everyone does hate us!
Reidski, London,
Daniel. Be serious. Sunderland achieved "City" status a few years ago after winning a competition to celebrate the Queen's Ruby Anniversary. It has few, if any, of the other defining characteristics of a big city in terms of history, the arts, cuture, tourism, transport links etc etc. I am in no way criticising Sunderland just pointing out that the comparison is spurious. Daniel, you are using local authority population to denote size but this is just a matter of boundries and doesn't take into account the Borough of North Tyneside and Gateshead both of which are effectively Newcastle.
Sunderland, Leicester, Derby, Middlesbrough etc all fine clubs , but medium sized one club towns will a limited though loyal fan base. Daniel you are right in one sense though - Mark forgot about Leeds, a big one club city.
James, Glasgow,
Why can't you leave Newcastle alone? The national press rarely miss an opportunity to have a dig at them. Sure, they may be badly run, romantic and will never win anything, but their shenanigans keep us all entertained. Sky sports news would not exist without them.
I've lived up there and all I can say is there is little to entertain other than unemployment, drinking, fighting and football. So let them enjoy their moment, while it lasts.
Steve, London, Uk
Actually I do have the prettiest wife at home !
Angus , Guisborough ,
To James and Clivex, Bristol. I lived in the southwest for 5 years (lived in Bristol - worked in Somerset) and can confirm the region is a wasteland for football. To watch top flight football you must go to Portsmouth - hardly a trip down the road.
Feel sorry for the kids - they end up supporting the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U. Probably dont where Ashton Gate and Filton is?
Obi Kwan, Newcastle,
Newcastle are special to me because they are my club. We may choose to make as much or as little of our club as we see fit. I would encourage anyone to follow their local club -(as I do), but it's up to each of us as to how special we make that relationship.
Most supporters don't need anyone to hilight their clubs' shortcomings - most of us know these only too well. Few supporters I talk to don't think that the players are worth a fraction of what they earn - but they can put that to one side if they can put in a few decent performances and look like they give a damn.
This season the biggest problem for me, (and seemingly many others), wasn't that we were in 11th spot, were expecting instant success, or cavalier/ suicide Football, it was that at long last we'd found some consistant form.... consistantly awful.
If I live another 50 years I doubt if I will ever work out just what Sam Allardyce was trying to do. No, Please - don't try to tell me, It will keep !
Steve, Cramlington, Northumberland
Spectacular journalism, what a wonderful and ironic way to prove Keegan absolutely correct. Martin Samuel demonstrates exactly the lack of understanding of the Geordies, their lifestyle and their football expectations and appreciation that Keegan noted. And then trot out a list of defeats..... game set and match. Go back to standard critique " the midfield were weak" better still get yourself to the theatre this week end but don't go to the ballet - it requires some depth of understanding!!!
Ritchie Mint , Newcastle upon Tyne, Above England - below Scotland
Newcastle is a
a)big city
b)with only one team and
c) is situated just about as far away from the capital as is possible to get.
There are the reasons why.
a) they have a lot of fans
b) they aren't divided into two, three or more teams
c) they feel different from the rest of England (they are, in fact, almost Scottish and we know how much they hate England)
To think they are great supporters or a special team is delusional.
In fact their great support mysteriously dissappeared in the eighties. Passionate!
Bruce, Melbourne, Australia
Being special is, I suspect, like beauty - it's in the eye of the beholder. And being a one eyed Newcastle United fan, special they will always be, come what may.
Thomas Ryan, GOULDS COUNTRY, Australia
Alex Feguson has commented before that Newcastle is different from other places in its fervour for the game.
I've lived in Newcastle, Manchester, Nottingham, London, Amsterdam and Perth (Australia) and each city has a different attitude to sport and following their teams.
Without a doubt football is far more important in Newcastle to the people at large then it is to the people in any of the places I've lived.
It is different from most places. Never been to Glasgow but I imagine its similar there (although of course Glasogow is a divided city, so not everyone is united behind the same cause).
Gary, Perth (Oz),
The sheer determination behind the attempts of the media to put down Newcastle fans is what i find to be mindboggling. If we weren't special, why the hell would anyone go out of their way just to educate a bunch of northerners. And why now all of a sudden? Could it be that people are scared...? What if Newcastle suddenly went back to smacking all your teams up and down the pitch again? Wouldn't that be tragic.
It's worth mentioning though, that the more the press rails behind this view that Newcastle isnt special, the more Newcastle fans are gonna think it is.
Chris, Leeds,
Mark, Edinburgh...
The Kingdom of Northumbria stretched from the Humber, not the Tyne... thats why it was called Northumbria...
However, the only reason that Sunderland is larger and more populus than Newcastle is that it includes Washington... half of the inhabitants of which consider themselves Geordies, not Mackums.
Newcastle and Sunderland are both great teams, and frankly both would rather beat the other than take the treble in any one season.... perhaps that makes them both a bit special..
Paul, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Newcastle has a status as regional capital. It's the North East's premier city by which ever metric you choose.More importantly though it has a historic status as the administrative centre of Northumberland. I'm not a fan of the term Geordie Nation and obviously NUFC doesn't (and wouldn't want to) represent Wearside or Teeside. It is fair to say however that Newcastle United's "territory" extends from the banks of the Tyne to the Scottish border (as well as having many fans on the "wrong" side of the Tyne), covering what used to be the Kingdom of Northumbria. There is still a sense of commonality amongst these people and Newcastle United captures and expresses that. Fairly simple really.
Mark, Edinburgh,
With regards to Mark, Edinburgh's comments about Newcastle being the only large one club city in the country. He seems to overlook the fact that Sunderland is a bigger city than Newcastle in terms of area and population, and it also only has one major football team.
Daniel, Sunderland,
There is no such thing as the Geordie Nation. This was invented by John Hall who laughingly tried to create England's Barcelona. There are plenty 'true' Geordies who support Sunderland - John Hall's original club incidentally.
The number who support them is purely down to city population size and obviously having no theatres as alternative entertainment.
Kevin, Durham, Durham
"....our club is special, special in a way that no other club can be to their supporters"-sums up in one quote the current debate over typical geordie arrogance / delusion.
".....No other clubs fans put up with that same rubbish being repeated over and over again"-oh tell that to the supporters of York / Torquay / Macclesfield etc. It must be terrible having to 'put up' with such Premiership / International standard 'rubbish' ? !
"....the Toon may shout louder or more passionately than others"-or is that boo or shout "SACK THE BOARD / ROBSON OUT!" louder than others?
And of the 'Geordie Nation', believe me, it is a total myth that NUFC represents the North East, just ask any Sunderland, Hartlepool, Darlo or Boro fan. Regionally based national sports journalists are generally located in the City of Newcastle; this often results in an unhealthy influence by / or bias towards NUFC (see George Caulkin et al).
The recent blanket coveragewas typicaly shameful-we are fed up of it.
Dennis, Seaton, NE ENGALND
Yawn,more drivel about NUFC and the fans, just get over it man.
Crana, Raleigh, USA
Well James that's just one of those things in football. I guess we'rd all prefer to see good quality foootball at the end of the day. How many of us have truly enjoyed watching these lowly teams with their inept ball control, scuffing and slicing sitters in featured Carling cup games? To that end some of the fans that are at times seen as among the most obnoxious like say those of Man city and Leeds united, have shown surprisingly commendable loyality to their sides in their doldrum days. Leeds united supporters- never among the country's most popular people - are currently giving their first devision team an average sixth biggest gate in the whole country including the premiership.
A whitts, Sheffield,
Firstly I have to correct James from Bristol who, in common with many other ill-informed correspondents, opines lazily that "Newcastle averaged less than 10,000 fans when they were in the doldrums". I know it's abit anoraky but I am fed up with reading this tosh so here are the stats: From relegation to the old div 2 in 1978 to promotion in the early 90's the avg attendance was 23,332 (around 70% of the 30,000 capacity). The defining feature of Newcastle Utd is that we are the UKs only large one club city. Football unites the whole city in joy and in pain. Add this to a particularly distinct regional identity and you get what is in essence a national team. It's not about the club as such, it's about where you are from, about belonging and pride. Cheesey I know, but true nonetheless. Some even argue, as Bill Bryson does in Notes from a Small Island, that the confidence and mood of our city is far too closely entwined with the fortunes of NUFC. I for one wouldn't have it any other way.
Mark, Edinburgh,
Oh dear James from Bristol, I think you will find the worst average attendance for Newcastle was 16,835 season 90/91, but hey don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant eh?
P Oconnor, Newcastle, U.K.
Whether papers comment on the Toon or not is immaterial. What is material is that Newcastle averaged less than 10,000 fans when they were in the doldrums. Funny how that special support and oh so passionate toon conveniently brushes that fact under the carpet. Were the venerating masses all pigeon-fancying on a Saturday afternoon in that era?
James, Bristol,
I' rd say Newcastle are special in that they are the biggest locally supported team left in the UK as opposed to the international brands which are the big four. Plus of course the Geordie accent is one of the more endearing of the regional English dialects. And of course king Kevin- i don't know how exaggerated it is to say Newcastle fans would rather lose 4-3 than slug out a 1-0 victory but it's a novel notion among most club's fans who are desperate for their team to win at all costs. And indeed Kev may not be the most cerebral manager but he's an honest voice looking to play honest good football in an increasingly disreputable, incredibly greed ridden and immoral sport. Under Kevin Keegan Newcastle were definitely not with standing local rivalries, most people's second team.
D whitts, shefield,
Were not special, but the whole country has been talking about us for the last two months. Obsessed.
shaun, wallsend,
The only people saying that Keegans first time at the club is perceived as being 'perfect' is the southern based press who once again are having a go at our club. It wasn't 'perfect' and none of us are saying that. What it was though, was a world away from the dreadful football we've watched for the last few seasons. To us our club is special, special in a way that no other club can be to their supporters. You wouldn't understand that as you aren't a Newcastle supporter.
Pete, Newcastle,
what is it with Newcastle supporters with this demand that their team play entertaining cavalier football and it's a tradition at the club.I think not, in my 50 years on the planet, prior to Keegan first stint the only entertaining team Newcastle have fielded was the early 70's team of Macdonald and co.Since then and upto Keegan arriving in the 90's Newcastle could never be described as practioners of entertaining football. the so called fanatical support can't even manage to sing the complete version of the Blaydon races. oh they,re special alright
shaun , whitley bay, uk
Dear Mr Edwards,
Chelsea fan, is it? Which Scotty is still playing at Newcastle, pray tell?
Well done Mr Samuels, someone had to say it. Liverpool next, please.
Chelsea Codger, Hampshire,
God help the world if we were a special club. Can you imagine how over the top the press would be then.
Gary, Newcastle,
Martin Samuel is wrong, wrong, wrong.
I lived in Newcastle for three years, Manchester for 18 years and have lived in London for 12 years. All cities with some of the best football teams in the world. I even went to Newcastle as a Manchester Utd fan. And I'm sorry Martin, but it is different. NUFC is a religion, the city is saturated with football. It's impossible to comprehend the passion if you've never lived there.
And what he, and most football commentators, totally fail to grasp is this: Newcastle fans care much, much more about seeing their team play entertaining football than winning trophies. The ruthless efficiency employed by some of the big teams who only care about about their silverware cabinet is just plain boring to Newcastle fans. And southern wusses like Samuel will never, ever understand this. And by failing to appreciate this they will never be able to understand the Newcastle fans and will continue to write pieces of complete piffle like today's sad offering
Helen, London,
Well said Martin Samuels. As a Chelsea fan I know there is only One that can be called Special :-)
I'm gald to see Kevin Keegan back with the Toon but they have saturated the news so much recently that the nonToon fans have become heartily bored with the circus.
It will be interesting to see if - and how quickly - King Kev can improve the team....which has many of my fave ex Chelsea boys. Come on Scotty, Duffa and Geremi...
M.L.Edwards, london,
Well, I think that Keegan's appointment is a huge millstone for Newcastle because he is a choker. As soon as the going gets tough, Keegan will get going and run for the hills when the pressure gets too much for him.
Savior? I think not. In fact, Keegan's appointment may well lead Newcastle to becoming a Championship club next season.
Bye bye...
clivex, Bristol,
I enjoyed this very well written article but would say that all football fans are remarkable because of their fierce tribal loyality to one team or another despite the dilution [yes dilution] of the sport into a highly globalized industry. I doubt very much that most Newcastle United fans consider themselved to be special within this remarkable group even if Kevin Keegan is a romantic trying to tap into tribal fervour.
Wilf , Farnborough, England
This is very true. I am a Spurs supporter and an Aberdeen supporter so I am doubly lucky that I support the only two truly special teams.
FA Cup and Scottish Cup ties are always good places to examine this phenomenon - there is nothing like being told categorically that: "It's Ross County, Ross County FC; Who're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen". Note the "by far" and "the World" and this is apparently sung with the same conviction as would supporters of Real Madrid in the 50's/60's or Liverpool in the 70's/80's (and good on em say I).
I also agree that the theory that the Newcastle centre forward shirt is special is somewhat flawed. There have been some great names, sure, but perhaps Everton fans might like to point out some of their club's striker history, for example.
Mark bannerman, Aberdeen, Scotland
Why is there this resentment towards Newcastle fans. It's getting beyond a joke. We can accept that we are not unique in seeing our club as special. No other clubs fans put up with that same rubbish being repeated over and over again.
Does it matter that we have this view of our club? No, it doesn't.
Does it need to be commented on, as if it was a bad thing, every day of the week and mocked? Certainly not.
Liverpool fans, they love their club and see it a special, are you going to single them out in the same way? All clubs are special to those who love them. Your no club is special argument is missing the point.
Mark, Hastings,
I think it only right and fair to temper the expectations of the Geordie nation for fear that too much expectation will only cause mass Tyne leaping when it all goes wrong. Bringing back one Mr Cox, may be good for the equal opportunities commission, but has he lost the ability to do simple sums; 15 points behind Everton, next game Arsenal, another 14 tgames to go and they are pushing for Europe!!!!
jonners, weybridge,
Right on the button Mr Samuel. Us london theatre loving media types (hows that for a stereotype) are sick of all this shmaltzy sentimentality over "the perm" taking over at newcastle. So what!
sam, London,
Is Newcastle United special?
Your right every other fan around the world, let alone the premiership would say hand on heart that their club is 'magic', 'wonderful', 'distinctive'.....Oh and of course special! That's stands regardless of your loyalty, from Manchester United to Grimsby Town.
So from that perspective you are absolutely right, Newcastle United are NOT special.
But what does make Newcastle United stand out from the rest, is that despite the remarks about no team being 'special', why is your paper and every other one in the land telling the average Newcastle United fan we are not special. Is it because while every other fan has equally blind faith, the Toon may shout it louder or more passionately than others.
What ever the answer, Martin you and the others I believe protest to much. In doing so making us stand out alone from the rest of the pack. In fact my blind faith see's it as being just that bit special.
steve, blyth, uk
How very clever to have a go at Newcastle, Mr. Samuel. How about next time you think of something that everyone else hasn't already written?
Jeremy, Baltimore, Maryland