The first Newcastle United goal I ever enjoyed | OneFootball

He played most of his life up to his mid 30s, so was busy Saturday afternoons and got out of the habit.

However, when I was a few days shy of 10, my cousin Andy, who was in his early 20s, asked if he could take me to the match with the lads.

It was 1989 and not many months after Hillsborough, but, amazingly, my Ma agreed.

Our spot was in the Milburn Paddock ‘B’, near the dugouts. I was lifted onto a concrete barrier.

Well.. it was like nothing I’d experienced before.

The noise, the swearing [brilliant to a lad of almost 10] but the constant movement, the surges… I was safe, but didn’t feel it.

And then… there was a goal. Well. I nearly somethinged myself.

Newcastle United started that second tier season pretty well, so there were a decent amount of goals, and… same result every time.

By my memories, my third match was at home to Bradford, and I steeled myself to *enjoy* the goals, to not be scared.

It was goalless heading into the last minute, my preparation and steeling myself seemed to be wasted.

Until… Mark McGhee got the ball near the touchline in front of us and went past his marker. Somehow, I just *knew* he was going to score. I was ready.

He slalomed past and away from several defensive lunges, then buried the ball from just inside the box.

Chaos ensued.

However, this time: I was ready. I celebrated from my perch, enjoying the rush without fear.

So thanks, Mark; for scoring that Newcastle United goal I *knew* you were going to score from your first touch.