Brighton fans comments when suggested stay in Sunderland hotel for Newcastle FA Cup weekend | OneFootball

Brighton fans travel to St James’ Park in two weeks time.

A place in the last eight of the FA Cup at stake.

Newcastle v Brighton a 1.45pm kick-off on Sunday 2 March.

No surprise that many Brighton fans are fancying making a weekend of it.

Brighton fans commenting via their North Stand Chat forum as they ponder one particular issue, when it comes to organising their trip to Tyneside…:

‘Good hotel availability in Newcastle for the Sunday night but expensive already on the Saturday.’

‘Some cheap hotels in Sunderland – only a 1/2 hour metro way.’

‘Are you mad? Have you ever been to Sunderland?’

‘Some cheap hotels in Sunderland.’

‘I bet there are.’

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‘The first train from Cumbria gets to Newcastle at 13.26. Good job the ground is close – but a 10 minute delay anywhere!

As someone earlier said – Saturday night in Newcastle is a very expensive stay. I was rather selfishly hoping for the 4.30pm Sunday match.’

‘Sat/Sun in Washington, a mere £78 for 2 nights.’

‘£75 in the Hilton at the airport, short hop on the metro.’

‘Back in 1990, I went up to Newcastle for a match on the Friday night.

Despite the snow warnings.

It was cancelled at 08.00 the following morning.

I caught the 09.30 out (which arrived at 10.30). Apparently that was the last train out for two or three days. So it can happen!

Still, worst places to be stranded.’

‘Last time I went up there, booked a hotel with the intention of enjoying the local sights and being able to have a couple of drinks after the game.

We got smashed 4-0, and suddenly the prospect of a sophisticated glass of wine in the city centre with a bunch of bouncing, smug Geordies didn’t seem so appealing.

Went straight back to the hotel, checked out, and drove all the way back to Sussex without stopping.’

It’s a pi.. take that all the other clubs comply and Newcastle have side stepped it for too long.

Now just maybe originally there were genuine problems but they’ve had plenty of time to sort out and it’s not like they don’t have cash to spend.’

‘Newcastle have been given an indefinite exemption as they claim analysis of every option on putting away fans pitch side showed an increased risk of confrontation and disorder between opposing fans, especially when exiting the stadium.

I can’t see how moving the away fans pitch side would increase the risk, anymore than it’s a risk at any stadium, other than currently away fans exiting St James Park are probably too knackered to do anything else having walked all those stairs twice.’

‘….and the odd thing about that is it’s quite possibly the friendliest set of fans in the PL with one of the lowest risks of disorder anyway.’

‘You come out the exit straight into Newcastle fans then have to walk around 3/4 of the ground to get to the station. If they wanted to avoid confrontation we’d be at the other end lower tier for a speedier exit.

We should put the Newcastle fans at the top of Ditchling Beacon next time we play and see how they like it.’

‘Never had any issues with coming out of the stadium and straight into mixing the Newcastle fans, their fans are normally great and welcoming. Premier Leagues being taken for a ride. If their new ground development happens should be an end to this farce.’

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 2 March –  Newcastle v Brighton (1.45pm) FA Cup fifth round – ITV1

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports