Dear tf,

Returning on the very hot and crowded train from Gelsenkirchen to Dusseldorf on Saturday evening after England's latest penalty calamity, a load of Midlands folk crowded on with their (yawn) No Surrender chanting etc. One of their fraternity barked in my general direction "Who do you support?" "Newcastle." I replied amiably. Myself and Saltwell Mag had to then endure five minutes of "What a shit place Newcastle is... Never be a big club... Never won fuck all etc"

After a few minutes of smiling back at the simpletons whilst shrugging our shoulders, my colleague pointed out that actually they were somewhat incorrect and that we had won many trophies, granted they were mainly in the Edwardian era, but we are in actual fact rather a large club. Unfortunately the scabs were having none of it. After a little extra posturing and gesturing, I couldn't help but enquire, "Can you still be classed as a big club when you play in Div 3 North and your hated local rivals are now Mansfield?"

That was it. We weren't gonna become buddies. The train pulled up at our destination and they tried to look as hard as possible. We pushed past them still smiling (they fucking hate that, people attempting to be bullies) Basically the platform was swarming with Jorman polis and all the Forest had was a style of walking they had picked up off "The Football Factory."

As the crowd dispersed "Cheeky fuckers" I thought to myself, and then I remembered Ian Woan, them lying down and taking a 5-0 pasting at Old Trafford and then playing like their lives depended on it against us in that infamous 1-1 night at the City Ground, and thought, "I have decided. I am gonna hate Forest from now on." Does anyone else wanna join in?

Nick Clark


Dear tf,

Is it just me, or is everyone else deeply concerned about NUFC? We are in serious danger of being dragged into that boring group of mediocrity that includes such glamour clubs as Everton, Blackburn and Bolton, slipping yet further behind the Big 4 and even Spurs. What Roeder did last season was spot on, he united the club, got the players wanting to play for the cause, played people in their correct positions like Solano, was not afraid to drop expensive signings like Boumsong and did turn us around. However, I still believe he is not a big enough manager with the credentials or necessary experience to run Newcastle United. We need to attract big names, is he capable? We have wasted a fortune in the past and cannot afford to do so again. We hill spend the little money we have wisely? He does have my full support, but I do feel the decision is indicative of where we are. Shepherd has to buy well this summer and not the media crap fiasco that was Owen, but hungry professionals that will improve NUFC and get us back to where we need to be, The Champions League.

We are in serious danger of becoming a mid table team, going nowhere very quickly. Even the atmosphere is flat. Looking at that Dortmund stadium, how great would it be if we could rip the seats out in the Gallowgate and let the loons pay on the door!! the place would be a fortress again. Keep up the good work, telling how it is!

Andy Lower

PS: Even though England were unlucky, isn't it great to see the Surrey housewives crying over Becks and the Boys!! Would have done my heed in if they'd won it!!


Dear tf,

Right then in response to Big Duke and Darren!

Brief history of me life. Firstly, I went to my first game when I was 6 years old. When i was 12 i started going to away games and have been regularly ever since. I have had a season ticket since 1987 which I have to save for months cos I get a shitty wage. My experience of footy on TV was Elton Welsby on a Sunday afternoon (just the one game). I despise the way SKY have monopolised the game and cause games to be played at shite times on whatever day suits them. So stop with yer fuckin bollox insinuations (or should I use a smaller word for you so you can understand it).

When I was a little kid me uncle, who was working in Liverpool at the time was set on by a gang of 15 Scousers whilst walking back to his house after the game at Goodison. The scum gave him such a kicking he was three hours from death. Only surgery saved his life. First reason why I don’t want a return to those days.

Second, I can remember being in SJP with monkey chants and racist abuse being hurled down from everywhere. No excuse for that at all. You bring the hooligan element back that comes back too - summat that has NO PLACE anywhere.

Thirdly I am sick of being treated like scum for being English when I have been abroad to watch Newcastle. Scenes in Breda tar us all with the same brush and lead to teams getting kicked out competitions. So if you enjoy taking part in them you clearly have no love for the club. Why would you wanna play a direct part in seeing the club you claim to love, kicked out of competitions, relegated etc?

There is no doubt at all that standing brought about better atmosphere and all seater stadiums detract from it to some extent. The Chelsea game at the end of last season proved we can get SJP intimidating - all without the abuse and trouble which marred days gone by.

If you still enjoy a ruck, organise a mass brawl with some Cockneys/Mancs/Scousers just don't dare attach it to the club I love. I will apologise for calling Big Duke scum, maybe that went a bit far but I won't apologise for my views.

Andy L, Durham

Ed: and that’s all over and done with now and we’re all mates again. Phew!


Dear tf,

Alreet lads,

My name is Andy, I'm 21, I'm a wa'ka lad but an exiled Geordie since I moved to Yorkshire following my step dads work back when I was 14. I'm a member and regular away day traveller with the Yorkshire mags, a superb bunch of all ages with Black and white streaming through their veins. I've previously vented Freddy related frustration on your 'everybody's talkin' section, only once like but I may not be a stranger to you. This letter by the way isn't intended for the section, just a general e-mail to yourselves but if you wish to post some of what I say then by all means..

I just want to commend you on your website and fanzine and explain why exactly! Now it isn't uncommon for me to hear on early Saturday morning trains going to away games from the "old heads" how it just isn't what it used to be, and I read it on your website and hear it constantly from my dad who appears so disillusioned with football as a whole!! I absolutely agree, it isn't! I love hearing the stories of the old Leazes shed of the 70's, the scoreboard end in all it's glory in the 80's and wish I was around to have been apart of that!

Now I caught the very back end of terrace culture as a nipper, being held on to for dear life by my old dad while I waved his car keys at the unwashed after Sellars' free kick (just first memory that came to mind), but you can see by my age I've grown up with Sky TV, gay fancy dress, matchstick all seater stadiums, and am just so grateful I was old enough to be part of the Keegan era as I've since watched my beloved St. James' Park quite literally lose it's soul! Not the only ground like!

Now what irritates me is the twist this "modern influence" (I'm going to keep this clean and rational) put on anything pre premiership, usually tagged as hooliganism! Of course measures had to be taken on the terraces, and I certainly have no time for todays Burberry clad, knuckle draggers who do nothing to help our cause! But when I see the old boys eyes twinkle when they tell their stories and when I think of some of my own (Mackems away this season a recent addition to special moments), it's not about firms, meets (that's for the cockneys), but about pride, passion, identity, letting go after a weeks graft (I'm soon to be a student like!), funny away day stories, letting people know there are 3,000 Geordies on their turf! That is the very essence of Newcastle United! Now of course a police presence is essential as this is a massively boisterous culture (I can't account for every Geordie who's had too much dog, myself included, but this isn't the rugger... it's so much more)! That's it... it's so much more! It is great that families can safely go to a game but we're the nuts of it all, the essence, and we're needed too!

That has to be recognised and fought for, and which is why I commend your efforts and initiatives with the fanzine and website! It's cos of you boys that a young'un in this money polluted era like me sees what is truly special about following Newcastle United, and most importantly what isn't! I just hope that things turn for the better and other young Geordies growing up don't lose site of what our club is all about!

Keep it up lads, it's not going unnoticed!

Andy G, Exiled Geordie, Yorkshire Mags

P.S: As you'll know, the away day, especially this era, is a lot different from a home game and traditionally generates a very "different" atmosphere, which is why I really enjoy you're level 7 column rating the travelling support of our rivals! I realise you're always open to suggestions for the website and thought that a section and a rating on our own away support, if this is possible, would be a great addition and raise awareness further of bringing it back! Just a thought!

Ed: thanks for that Andy, we’ll be adding that feature to our away day reports next season. Great idea.


Dear tf,

Firstly I hate to say I told You so but I told You so...'Owen not ready to resume training until August 2007' is now confirmed by his doctors. I think you'll find that I predicted this in the immediate aftermath of the injury. That's why I said we need to sign 2 first class strikers this summer.

Secondly 'Beckham'...

It's a business deal not a football deal Don't pooh pooh it as a fantasy, according to the media Freddie had no chance of getting Owen. Capello has said he's ready to pay £22M to take Ronaldo to the Bernabeau from Old Trafford & Beckham won't play second fiddle to England's public enemy no. 1.

Pro's

The signing of Beckham would attract other top class players to the club. Beckham still has a lot to offer any team in football terms. Due to his lifestyle & character he is one of the very few players whereby allowing him to live in South East England & commute to the Toon would not in anyway be a risk. He is a consummate professional who would be in first class condition for every game. Like Shearer he'd be a excellent role model & fine ambassador for the club.

Con's

It smacks of short termism. Are we becoming an upmarket Bolton Wanderers ? Football's equivalent to the Harlem Globetrotters ? I'm sure Beckham was not on the list of players handed to the Chairman by Glen Roeder. It goes against Roeders stated policy of wanting to reduce the overall age of the squad. We would have to play with a 5 man midfield as I've no doubt Beckham will want to play in the middle as a playmaker & not wide right where his ageing legs could let him down.

I cant make up my mind whether I'm in favour of signing him or not. On the one hand I admire him greatly as a man & a footballer. On the other, would he just be a glamorous stop gap standing in the way of Glen getting on with the job of building a solid foundation for long term success based upon youth ?

If he arrives I'm sure he won't let anyone down & he'll quickly win over the fans with his work rate.

And yes I would wear a sarong !

Nigel Pearson


Dear tf,

Wow...wow...wowww Freddie! Now lets just stop and think about this for a while shall we?

- Big Al put out to pasture

- Mickey O well fucked for at least 6/8 months

- Rocky flew the nest

- Fuck all top class proven strikers left in the ranks

Er.. it’s not rocket science is it? Or maybe it is! On second thoughts no- fuck it, I’m in with you Fred... I can see you’ve got a cunning plan and I for one am willing to go along with you. After all, you’ve never let us down before, have you?

I’ve got a mate who reckons he’s got Robbie Williams mobile...you can have it if you promise to have a go at getting him off the royal family as well (decent centre half eh?)...or hey!!...what about an audacious attempt at luring "Mr T" out of retirement??...he’s fucking Ace he is!!...(no good for Europe though - I ain’t getting’ on no plane etc.)..Good luck Mate!!

Graham Hall (head in hands)


Dear tf,

Well, I did tell you England were going out and that Eriksson isn’t the full whack.

If the thought of Michael Owen and Dyer getting 5 and 6 figure sums a week to lie around and receive treatment for various injuries winds you up, then spare a thought for the twats at the English FA.

5 fucking million a year for Sven Goran and he had about as much tactical knowledge as Mick McCarthy!

I admit I think it is a bit funny, but still leaves a bad taste behind when you think of the players at his disposal and his dismal failure to do anything even approaching football management.

Rumours about Van horsey heed and Beckham are just more hot air to try and raise our profile. I hope I am wrong, but I really cant see too many world class players coming to St James' this season.

I like that guy on the right wing for France, Ribery. He looks like a natural to me. I hope wor Al has had a word in his ear about us.

Meanwhile, our present right-winger, Nobby says he is ' quite pleased with God' after he survived a car crash.

I would think he should be happier with the safety performance of the car he was driving whilst asleep, but then again, I suppose I am biased as I gave up on that God shite years ago after countless prayers went unanswered.

Klose and Poldolksi might like it down the Bigg market, eh? So if there is a God, can someone ask him what the fuck is his problem with the Toon?

Its not like we are bad people, and don’t deserve something, is it?

Coops.


Dear tf,

Reading through your comments about football and the business argument, I agree with most of what you say.

However, the crucial point is that the people running clubs don’t care about us, the supporters.

American investors won’t care, just in the same way they couldn’t care less about Man Utd, except their merchandising etc.

Real Madrid, unlike Barca, are not a class club, (in terms of fluency of efficiency and structural management) and they are ran by money men solely fixated on the revenue coming out to their pockets.

The Spanish government even bailed them out years ago when they were heading towards bankruptcy with a large load of millions to buy a training ground and pay transfer fees

If anyone thinks that the supporters still have any influence on their club, then they deserve to get butt fucked (American term, get used to it) by the money-men, as they are as stupid as the gullible critical mass on the other side of the Atlantic.

Lastly, football USED to be a sport, now it is not.

Football is now run by businessmen, and that is the case in every top four club in Europe.

Chelski came in handy for Mr A to allegedly launder his dirty oil money through transfer deals and dodgy 'consulting fees' in my opinion.

Supporters are viewed as just gullible customers who will invest money and provide cash flow.

This World Cup is the best example of everything which is deteriorating in the game.

Overpaid prima donnas who whinge, abuse referees, abuse each other, lie, cheat and try to get their fellow professionals sent off, ( all whilst admiring themselves on the big screen ) and their managers who don’t their arses from their elbows, and last, but not least, the corrupt organisation which is FIFA in my opinion.

Do you think Sepp Blatter gives a fuck about anything other than picking his nose and his salary up every month?

Just watch when the camera pans around to the smug cunts in the vip sections who are in the business only to further their political careers, and make more money with their other contacts in the game.

Pie and a pint before the game? Don’t be silly, - crepes and champagne and a business meeting with the 'opposing' chairman and discuss new ideas of how to further milk the stupid supporters dry, - now that’s football.

Sad but true!

Coops.