Newcastle is a large city in the North-East of England. With a population of around 300,000, these people are famous for having a distinct accent and are known as Geordies. This phrase also applies to the football fanatics that follow their local team, Newcastle United.
There is a big divide in this area as there is also another club, Sunderland A.F.C. which claims some fans but Newcastle is superior in many ways. Still playing in the Premier League, Sunderland is a world away, now plying their trade in League One. Cup draws are eagerly awaited to see if these two foes will meet as it is unlikely to happen in the league, barring a disaster for Newcastle. Yet, that may be more possible than people believe.
Problems with the manager
Steve Bruce is possibly a lucky man that crowds have not been allowed access to stadiums during the pandemic. Punters using betting sites like the bestses casino would be queuing up ready to wager some cash that he would be the next manager to be sacked. Chris Wilder, Frank Lampard, and Eddie Howe are just some of the names to be mentioned in the event of this happening. Fans were turning on Bruce last season and the atmosphere was toxic at times inside the stadium. Fast forward another year, and with not many signs of improvement, another flirtation with relegation has increased fans’ unhappiness.
Potential takeover issues
Businessman Mike Ashley bought Newcastle United in 2007 for a fee of roughly £135 million. At first seen as a source of fresh ideas and a new source of funds, Mike Ashley’s popularity has been on a downward slide with the fans for years. He has been eager to sell up for quite some time due to his dwindling interest in the club. Yet, he is still hanging in there for the best deal available for him. Despite all the protests towards him, he is unwilling to budge. The latest saga came with an attempted takeover by a group led by the Saudi Government, which was rejected by the F.A. for various reasons. Newcastle fans may be stuck with Ashley for a while yet.
Where’s the money coming from?
In line with a recent trend, Newcastle United has the name of a gambling company on their football jersey and also their training gear. A Chinese betting company, FUN88 have its logo plastered across the front of shirts and also advertising hoardings in the stadium. This ensures their brand is visible to a large audience. For a brief period, their stadium St. James Park was renamed Sports Direct Arena after Mike Ashley’s company before Wonga paid for the naming rights and changed it back to the original name. Even after Wonga’s deal expired, the board said the stadium would retain the name of St. James Park due to uproar by fans. The capacity of the stadium is just over 52,000 demonstrating the size and potential of this club. In the good times, it is usually sold out with a raucous fanbase. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, this has also been affected. Income from ticket sales and merchandise from the stadium superstore have plummeted as a result.
Better times ahead for the club?
For fans of most clubs, happiness can come with the realization that success or trophies can be achieved with time and patience. An appointment of a new attacking minded manager would please the fans to no end. A few inspired signings could make all the difference between battling with relegation and challenging for Europe. People of Newcastle have seen big managers such as Kevin Keegan and players such as Alan Sheareŕ at their club. Challenging for honors and representing the club with pride. Alan Shearer even turned down the chance to sign for Manchester United, because he was a Geordie-born lad. Unfortunately for him, it didn’t result in any trophies. However, he became both the Premier League and Newcastle’s top scorer of all time and cemented his place in Newcastle folklore.
It’s not just all football
Aside from football, Newcastle is quite a popular spot, known for many different reasons. It has notoriously difficult wet and cold weather for a start. Yet that doesn’t seem to deter people and it has a very vibrant nightlife. It is a very big student city. A night out in Newcastle does not have to be that expensive as there are a big variety of places to go to. Museums and castles are in abundance, yet the interest seems to be in bars, clubs, and casinos. At casinos such as the Genting Casino and Aspers, you have your choice of a wide selection of games. They are top of the range facilities, including bars and restaurants themselves, which can make it easier to get comfortable there for the evening. A trip to the casinó always makes for an interesting night as the hustle and bustle can be fabulous to watch.
Check in advance about opening times, as restrictions could mean staggered opening hours, if indeed open at all.
Summary
Newcastle is a big city with a lot of pride in its local team. Rivals in the area such as Sunderland or even Middlesborough do not have anywhere near the number of fans that Newcastle has. Passion reaches fever pitch whenever these teams clash. They dream of even the stability of the Premier League. Yet Newcastle fans are not content. A change from the boring style of football played by Steve Bruce is a must, they cry out. Other clubs such as Leicester and West Ham have passed them out completely. An owner who has made the club stagnate, with no sign of progress. Yet, they have managed to get a great deal for shirt sponsorship. The Newcastle fans are a patient lot and are aware good times could be around the corner. Seasons of the past come to mind. Until all this comes to pass, there is no harm in keeping yourself entertained in the great city of Newcastle and all it has to offer.
