Newcastle United have been inconsistent and unpredictable this season, but the Toon Army have lived up to their reputation as loyalists by purchasing every away ticket this season.
Every club in the English Premier League has its own story and engraves a special place in the lives of its most fervent supporters. Some cities enjoy the presence and rivalry of two clubs, while a plethora of top flight teams call London home. The story of Newcastle United, however, is much different.
Located in close proximity to Scotland, Newcastle United can be described as a lone wolf that represents North East England in the top tier of English football since Sunderland and Middlesbrough are both playing in the EFL Championship. While most clubs have their rivalries set based on geography, the Magpies are forced to develop rivalries through competitive matches with clubs around the country.
Aside from the Entertainers era in the mid-1990s, Newcastle United have failed to formulate a concrete identity. The club is primarily recognized for the record-breaking play of Alan Shearer and the grand infrastructure of St. James’ Park, but one integral component of Newcastle’s identity that should not be overlooked is the Toon Army.
NUFC Identity
The socio-economic dynamics of Newcastle upon Tyne and the composition of Newcastle United are closely aligned. The blue-collar culture of the city is reflected in the way Newcastle United play their football.
Since the departure of Alan Shearer, Newcastle United have not had a major star on the roster who can serve as the difference-maker in a match. The Magpies are built with above average players who only succeed as a result of collective effort.
The poor performance of a single player can cause a ripple effect and impact the outcome of the entire team. With that being said, there are two main characteristics that develop and maintain player-fan relations on Tyneside and they are accountability and perseverance.
While most analysts successively set the bar low for Newcastle United by predicting the Magpies to finish anywhere between 10th and 17th in the table each year, the Toon Army holds every player accountable for their actions and sets high expectations. In the eyes of the Toon Army, the players’ dedication to contributing to the success of the club outweighs the final placement in the table.
Away Support
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Newcastle United have frequently been under the media’s spotlight this season. Innumerable reports and rumors regarding the potential takeover and the unpredictable January transfer window continue to circulate on different platforms, yet the Toon Army’s unrivaled away support gets little recognition.
The sell-out crowds at St. James’ park every other week is impressive, but the presence of approximately 3,000 Newcastle supporters at every away match is remarkable. This season, the closest geographic opponent for the Magpies are Burnley, a city which is located 194 kilometers from Newcastle upon Tyne.
The Magpies have also traveled 455 kilometers to play Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham in London with the vocal support of the Toon Army overpowering chants from home fans for 90 minutes. Moreover, the Toon Army put their loyalty on full display as they purchased every away ticket against Swansea City (560 kilometers), Brighton (561 kilometers) and Southampton (528 kilometers).
These are just a few notable examples of the Toon Army’s travels thus far this season. The point being made here is that the Toon Army invests a significant amount of time, money and energy in these long travels to stand behind their beloved club in a crucial season where survival is the key objective.
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As stated earlier, Newcastle United does not have a star player on the roster and is dependent on maximum collective effort to earn points. With a team mainly comprised of Championship-level players, the Toon Army’s role as the 12th man at home and away this season has made the difference in close matches that Newcastle United have won.