From India to Northern Ireland, via Newcastle.

After reading the article by the Newcastle fan in India I was inspired to give my own testimony to the Geordie church.

I'm a toon fan from Belfast. Admittedly not as far as India or nearly as outnumbered as Deepak is, but still this wasn't a thing I was born into it was a decision I made and I've never regretted despite the constant stick I get from the glory hunting plastic supporters in "our wee country".

Up until I was about 16/17 I followed my Dad and the rest of my family as a Liverpool supporter. I always loved playing football in the street and having a bit of banter with the Man United fans. Manchester United and Liverpool are the two biggest teams over here besides Rangers and Celtic, but considering that's not really football and wearing the wrong colours over here could get you killed I never seen the point.

When it came to watching football or even Match of the Day I would of rather have been doing something else. It was boring but I'd pretend to get into it just to join in the craic but, I'd far rather be playing the game myself.

That was until I seen the SAS (Sutton and Shearer) partnership. These two guys where a different class, especially the latter of the two. I watched in awe as the pair tore defences apart with skill and power. At the same sort of time I remember King Kev coming out onto the steps outside St James' Park to talk to the fans about the sale of Andy Cole. I remember thinking that was commendable showing the fans that they are part of the club.

Then Alan Shearer went to Newcastle and I, like may others, thought that would be the final piece of the jigsaw that would make a good team great. I can still see him standing with both arms up lapping up the cheers and applause. After that, watching Match of the Day was something I looked forward to but not for my team! I'd wait for the Newcastle highlights.

I hadn't admitted to myself yet, but I was hooked. Watching Alan Shearer - a real mans man - leading a team of very skilled players followed by passionate supporters was a joy. After a while I spent more and more time reading the back pages looking for the Newcastle articles and going past Liverpool ones to get at them and I finally had to admit that I'd done a reverse Judas.

Newcastle were flying high at the time so I was branded a glory hunter. I couldn't have cared less. I now understood why people screamed at the TV and jumped up and down. Within a year I'd branded myself with a Newcastle crest proudly tattooed on my arm. I'd gone from being a fan to a fanatic.

My first trip to St James' Park was brilliant. I couldn't believe the atmosphere and I was surrounded, for the first time in my life, by people who where as passionate about my team as I was. It was up there with my kids being born (one of which I've named Geordie who will obviously pull on the black and white someday lift a trophy and by his dad a Lambo). I still get shivers down my spine when I think about the first time I walked through the tunnel into the stands and every time I get over I'm treated as one of the lads by complete strangers.

I don't need to tell anyone reading this that it hasn't been easy. In fact at times it's been unbearable. I get asked all the time "why Newcastle?" There's no reason why I shouldn't support one of the big four, I'm not from Newcastle and this wasn't my Dad's team. It's simple - I love the underdog!

I'm glad it's not easy. If it was it would be boring and I wouldn't be shouting at the TV or sitting up a crane with a Newcastle flag on the ceiling refreshing Newsnow all day wondering who's going to be our next number 9.

I support Newcastle because someday, maybe not even in my life time, but someday we will win something and that for me, if I ever see it, will be worth the wait. We have been starved of success for years and when we finally do lift a trophy it will mean more to us than any of the big teams. I almost pity them for missing out on that ;)

Thanks for taking the time to read this keep the faith.

Note from Toonsy - Thanks to Belfast Toon for giving us his story. I love them I do. And an additional thanks do Deepak for his story which inspired this one.