Club or Country

[Zippity]

Given the chance to choose, would you go for England to win the World Cup (was going to say the Euros but the World Cup might make it a harder choice for some) or us to win, say, the League Cup?

Personally, it would be Newcastle every time.

(and as I was writing this, it occured to me that a couple of posters have seen Newcastle win the FA Cup and the Fairs Cup and England win the World Cup...ffs, man! )

[Jammy89]

I'd take seeing Newcastle win a trophy to.

[Cannylad]

I'd take seeing Newcastle win a trophy to.

Of course, no contest.

[ex_pat_magpie]

Given the chance to choose, would you go for England to win the World Cup (was going to say the Euros but the World Cup might make it a harder choice for some) or us to win, say, the League Cup?

Personally, it would be Newcastle every time.

(and as I was writing this, it occured to me that a couple of posters have seen Newcastle win the FA Cup and the Fairs Cup and England win the World Cup...ffs, man! )

Yes, and would you believe it that we were so sure of it that we had confidence in expecting it. All of it.

Our cup run in the 1950's was unbelievable. Three times in five years.

I was at school for the first two and in the Air Force in Oldenburg in Germany doing National Service for the cup drubbing of Citeh.

It was a huge ex German Officers camp and mostly Brits. We were all in the NAAFI listening to it on the radio and I remember out of 1,200 on the camp I think there were only three of us Geordies but there were French, Belgians and Dutch lads there too, and the NAAFI was crammed with the majority cheering for us.

When the game was won, myself and my two fellow Geordies were carried shoulder high and treated to a slap-up binge by the other excited lads.

As for the Fairs Cup, I'd just bought a flat in a huge converted Victorian house in Beckenham, Kent, and was on ladders painting a very high bedroom ceiling. When the winning goal went in the paint, brushes and cleaning clothes went up into the air and I finished up on the floor with the step ladders and paint across my back.

So in conclusion Toon over Country every, every time. You just cannot relive those occasions.

[bix01]

Brilliant story Pat - it’s the real people behind these results that make them special.

For me, it’s always been conflicted - was devastated in 1990 & 96 for England but just as gutted in 95/96 when we blew the league. This last 15 months though and this ongoing campaign against the our club has made the decision easy - Toon first, although there is no reason other than the stink of the league why we can’t have both.

[toonlegend]

Toon toon all the way

i cant say I recall our FA cup successes but i was in the crowd to see them bring the cup back to newcastle 1955 aged 2 sitting on my dads shoulders !

watched us win the world cup on tele - was so exciting

The fairs cup was an amazing experience. went to all the home games - even queuing for tickets was great fun!

They brought the Fairs cup back to newcastle the day I took my last GCE O level. i'd got there late for it and they made me stay in at the end to make up the time - my mates were all banging on the gym windows fro them to let me out ha eventually a crowd of us jumped on the bus down to town straight from school. in the leazes end watching amazing scenes

went to wmbley twice in the 70's - wouldn';t have missed it even though we lost both times - i hold out a dream that next time i get there we will win

[sherwoodmag]

Only saw the goals for the 1951 and 52 finals at the pictures in the days when they showed the news headlines before the main films.Watched the 55 final through a shop window on Wallsend High Street.Watched all the England games in 66.

[KemptownMag]

I listened to the '55 final on the radio with my uncle, who went to every home game - first team and reserves - but had to work Saturday mornings and anyway could never afford to go to London.
My brother and I were taken to the Central Station to see the team arrive home.
We were so disappointed that they were in suits and not their playing kit!
Good training for subsequent years of keen anticipation and ultimate disappointment with NUFC.

I went to the the '66 World Cup games at Joker Park. Got Lev Yashin's autograph and still have it somewhere.

The Fairs Cup Final was over two legs.
We won the first leg 3-0 at SJP.
Before the second leg I got a skull fracture playing for my university team.
I was at home in bed recovering and feeling like total sh1t, listening to the game.
We went 2-0 down by half time, which didn't help.
Then Big Bob Moncur scored at the start of the second half - he scored two in the first leg, not sure he ever scored again!
Benny Arentoft and Alan Foggon wrapped it up for us.

Went to the games in '74 (FA Cup) and '76 (League Cup).
I always remember coming away from Wembley in '74, Newcastle fans still having a great time, singing their heads off.
F*** it, we lost and played crap, but get the beers in.
Liverpool fans silent and seemed like they were on their way home from church.
A load were on the bus going home - I lived in Ealing at the time.
I told them "Cheer up, you won".
Won't repeat the advice I was given, but I can assure you that it is physically impossible.

In '76 I remember the fun at the end when Dennis Tueart came round to our end of the stadium with the cup.
Yep - in those days the losing fans used to stay and applaud the winners and losers off the pitch.
He scored the winner with a brilliant overhead kick.
We had all been singing "Sad Mackem *******, you're just a sad Mackem *******".
(Born in the Toon, played for the Mackems and ALWAYS scored against us).
He just stood in front of us, held out his hands, big grin on his face and bowed to us.
We all burst out with a huge cheer and round of applause for him.
Loved it!

I would love to see the lads win at Wembley.
I've been there three times with Wycombe Wanderers, winning each time.
Seen the Falcons win the rugby cup twice at Twickenham.
But nothing like the real thing.

[tinostongue]

Club,no contest!