I honestly don't know why the Newcastle fans have turned into such a gang of trumpets - because at least in my experience they never used to be! Back in the late 80s I used to work with some Geordie lads, and they were absolutely sound, knew their footy and their beer, and always a great night out.
One time in the 90s I went up to Newcastle when we played them in a night match - took my wife who had a season ticket at Goodison at the time. We lost 1-0, and we were staying over in South Shields for the night, so we headed into a pub there. Of course we ran into a table full of celebrating Geordies who'd beeen to the match, and they invited us over to join them. After a bit of piss-taking ('Aye lads - make room for the Vanquished here will you?') they got the beers in the rest of the night and we had a lock-in until 2am. Brilliant night.
What happened to fans like that? Of were they always there but I got lucky a few times??