The Mag
·18 October 2024
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·18 October 2024
Brighton fans travel to St James’ Park on Saturday.
The two clubs level on points.
Newcastle United one place behind the Seagulls in seventh place.
Knowing a win would ensure Eddie Howe’s team are guaranteed to be top six after the weekend, potentially top four, if other results also go the way of NUFC.
So what is the mood like as the Seagulls prepare to take flight to Tyneside from the south coast?
Brighton fans commenting via their North Stand Chat forum:
‘Ticket arrived today.
This will be my first trip to SJP in over 30 years, there was still terracing the last time I went!
So I know the ground is going to be in the same place and from memory it’s about 15 mins walk from the station.
For those with more recent visits where is best to go for lunch/beer before the game? Will only have a couple of hours so I don’t want to waste it randomly wandering!! I’ll have Milano Jr in tow so the venue needs to be teenager friendly.’
‘Easy – Newcastle Arms – just 5 minutes from the Away end near Chinatown. A few Albion will be in there and I’ve never witnessed any bother. In fact I’ve always been made welcome in any pub near the ground. But you’ll be walking past lots of watering holes coming up from the station or just few steps off the beaten track. My favourite away game by a country mile.’
‘Next to the Newcastle Arms is also Rosie’s bar. Went in there after the last away game. Both good.’
‘Newcastle is a fantastic place, a real jewel of England. The view from the away end in SJP is fine, it’s too high and there should be an option at ground level but it means you see how the whole game plays out and also you get a lovely view over the top of the Gallowgate End and out into rural areas beyond Newcastle.
The stadium is atmospheric, the city is beautiful and the people are mostly friendly and engaging.
Get yourself out of an evening and wait for the Gregg’s fresh pasties bell-ringing ceremony (assuming it still happens!) which brings one hell of a queue to the (possibly more than one!) 24/7 Greggs outlet(s) in town.’
‘Been last 2 years 1st one the midweek game after the pub found out I was brighton after the game I got a load of beers brought for me.
Last season on the way back to the coach got the questions of what time did you leave etc , proper supporters for travelling etc and the safe journey homes ,and a few handshakes and fist bumps , one place you would never have any hassle is there.’
‘Newcastle Tap and the Crown Posada are on my list.’
‘You’ll always a have a very warm welcome and have no trouble in any pub in Newcastle – in fact they seem to treat us like royalty (probably in part due to respect for the huge distance travelled).’
‘100 per cent this me last 2 seasons.’
‘The Centurion, actually in Newcastle station, is a great pub.
It used to be the first class waiting room in years gone by. On the last two occasions we played Newcastle that was my first stop off point for a pint.
Really friendly and the Geordie fans very welcoming.’
‘Not sure there is any other city in the country where fans stop you in street for a chat.
Conversation always starts with ‘it’s great that you travelled up’, followed by lots of footy chat and finishes with ‘enjoy the city, hope it’s great game’. I love the place!
First experience was 2018/19. Met Depor Junior in York and then train up to Newcastle. Train start filling up with Newcastle fans and one sat down opposite us. It’s December so he’s just wearing a Newcastle top. He’s covered in tats, all muscle and looks he’s been cage fighting a bear. It transpired that he fixed farm machinery. A lovely bloke, very knowledgeable about footy and also very funny!
A great day out.’
‘I was probably on the same train!
End of December so the train was rammed with revellers going up to Edinburgh for Hogmanay. I managed to position myself by the buffet bar – very convenient!
A load of Geordies got on at York (as per your post) and we had a great time chatting football related stuff. And they still love Chris Hughton by the way.’
‘For those who like a bit a craft, the Newcastle Tap pretty much opposite the station is decent, but busy. For those with a bit more time, then I heartily recommend Beer Street Micropub. Turn right out station, right again through the railway bridge, then first left. Good selection of cans for the journey back as well.’
‘I guess this is the closest thing we have to a European fixture travelling to this exotic far away land, so gonna enjoy it.’
‘I understood the dutch better than I’ll understand the geordies!!!’
‘Newcastle 0 – 4 Brighton
What else?
That’s what Trump said.’
‘Newoilmoney Utd 1 (Bruno Mars)
The Mighty Albion 1 (Just a WiefferThinBiscuit)’
‘I’ve gone for a Desmond but hoping we can nick it. How both teams injuries are and player fatigue will be key to this one. E.g. Isak is back (typical) but how fit/sharp is he actually going to be, ditto Wilson. Did Joelinton go away with Brazil?
I think we tend to do a bit better v Eddie Howe sides when we are away, he can’t employ all his little ‘tricks’ at home as he can away. I remember 2 or 3 seasons ago at the Amex when they stuck 10 behind the ball from the kick off with their keeper time wasting after about 10 minutes. Howe teams also ALWAYS change ends if they win the toss away from home, again can’t do that at SJP.’
‘Is that true? Wow, didn’t know that! Smug Eddie is a bit annoying.’
‘2-1 loss for me sadly.’
‘I feel like it could go either way and have settled with an optimistic 1-1 draw. I could easily see Newcastle beating us, hope not though.’
‘I’ve gone heart over head and a 3-0 win to the good guys.
In reality, it’ll be a rubbish 2-0 defeat though. Smug Eddie always smugs a result out of us, sadly.’
‘2-1…. Always think we’re a better side but can’t see us not conceding…..
Always hope for a victory over this lot as I’m still gutted we stopped playing and handed them the championship!’
‘2-3 with no team fully in charge for the whole match. Gonna be nerve-wracking for us, great game for the neutrals. Hopefully, FH and the lads have sorted out the glaring defensive issues.’