A Day Out to see Newcastle United V Fulham

Away back in April when Fraser and his family came over for a week and we rented a cottage in Northumberland we had planned to go to see Newcastle United v Manchester United. In order to secure tickets Fraser had booked a Hospitality package at St. James' Park. Unfortunately the match was switched to the Sunday for TV coverage by which time Fraser and family were on a plane back to California. The Hospitality package was kept over to this season but unfortunately Fraser couldn't fit in a time to come over so he asked me to take some of my friends. I wanted to reward my old team at EMS Cargo (Carlisle) Ltd for all the help they had given me when I started the company in 2003. Kelvin Carruthers and Brian Little were invited and my business partner Keith Walker unfortunately couldn't make it as he was on the Orient Express this week so my walking friend Charlie Graham took his place. Charlie had never experienced match day hospitality on this scale so this was a great experience for him. He is a fervent Manchester United supporter. We left Langholm at 8.45am to get the train to Newcastle and had to be at St James' Park by 12.30pm. 

There were 52,000 supporters in the crowd and they certainly made a lot of noise. It was a great atmosphere.

Brian, Kelvin, and Charlie in The Barracks Hospitality suite. There was over 300 people in the suite and we had an ex Newcastle United player interviewed and live musical entertainment. The lunch was enjoyable with plenty of choice in the various stands providing hot food. 

An empty St James' Park on our arrival

We stopped in front of the statue to Sir Bobby Robson to pay our respects

Charlie in front of the statue to Alan Shearer when he had hair. We had a fabulous day out in great company and my hero Bruno Guimaraes scored the winning goal in the 90th minute to make our day perfect.

 

A Visit to Newcastle United at St. James Park

On our way to St James Park we were taken through the grounds of Newcastle University and Leo, Hannah, and Tommy stood beside the statue of Dr, Martin Luther King Jr. commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kings visit to accept an Honorary Degree. 

From Level 6 and the East Stand is the lowest one and cannot be increased in height as there are houses just beyond it that are protected so they are unable to build any higher as they would not get any light. 

Tommy very enthusiastic as a Football player and real enthusiast but Leo was not as keen but soon got into the spirit of the visit and really quite enjoyed himself. The pair of them get on very well. 

The pitch is 10% synthetic and 90% grass from a Dutch ryegrass that goes extremely quickly. The grass only lasts for a year and is then re-seeded and grows in less than11 weeks. You will notice the pitch is on a slight slope of about 3 feet from left to right and you can see by the panels at the side of the pitch. 

The highest point in the stadium

In the press room for an after match interview the 2 star players and the manager. 

The north stand

Tommy loving every minute of the time spent there

The manager and 2 star players

One of the 100 private boxes. There are 300 people on a waiting list to get one of them so it could take 30 years before they all get one. Each of the top players gets a hospitality box as part of their contract.

The Visitors changing room which is much smaller than the Home team's and not as comfortable

 

We finished our day in Newcastle with Fish and Chips beside the sea at Cullercoats on a lovely evening. We then drove back to Langholm while Fiona and family have a day to get ready for a very early Wednesday morning flight to Geneva and then into France.

The best part of the visit according to Tommy was the Home changing room.