Finnish sports writer

I was at the game yesterday via hospitality. When l got to our table there was a gentleman sitting alone who introduced himself as Kari from Finland. I asked him if he had come all that way for the game and he explained that he had won a competition and the prize had been an all expenses paid weekend away with a ticket to see ANY premiere league football team.
Kari chose to come to see Newcastle United play. Now whilst that made perfect sense to me, l still felt the need to ask him why he had made that choice and this is roughly what he told me.

Watching and writing about sports l am always drawn to the English Premiere League, which l think is the best league in the world. Yes, l could have gone to Manchester or London, but from an outsiders perspective, The Toon Army has always intrigued me, it seemed to be something special, something like a religion. I like to watch Newcastle play and the fans are always so passionate and loyal. I had never been to Newcastle and understood it to be a fine City, with some nice coastline, so for me there was no other choice. I really wanted to come to SJP and experience the atmosphere.

Now when you consider the absolute rhubarb we dished him up, you could be forgiven for thinking that Kari might have been reconsidering his choice, but no, whilst he conceded very tactfully that the match could have
been better. He said that he had had the time of his life, both exploring Newcastle and the surrounding area, but mostly because SJP and the Toon fans, no actually all the people he had met, had been so friendly, that
he'd had a brilliant time.
So well done to everyone who played a part, (even if you didn't know it) in making his trip memorable. His view of our City, people and team only confirms what we all know. Taking yesterday's crappy performance and result aside, we have a lot to cherish and appreciate and as Kari quite simply put it, we have nothing in my country that comes close to this, you are very lucky, if l could l would come every match.
Puts our disappointment into perspective don't you think.

 

Good one GITF, pity we couldn't have put a better show on for him, but at least he's been here, seen it, done it, got the T-shirt.

Maybe he'll manage to get back again sometime and see the real TOON play.

 

Nice one mate. I have a finnish contact called Jouko who is wanting to have our meetings in Ncl so he can see the sights also. He's mad on Brown Ale too!

 

Nice one GINF. What was it like in the posh seat's?

 

We are a good bunch here in the NE, really.

 

Same rubbish as for everybody else.

A bitter pill to take.

 

A bitter and bloody expensive pill to be precise. When you factor in parking, train fare, hotel, food, drink, match ticket.
My companions were really disappointed by the match, but loved Newcastle.
For me even though we were so poor, being back "home" even if only for the weekend and standing in the ground was magical.
Singing my head off to Blaydon Races and feeling emotional during Local Hero, pretty quiet all around me for the rest of the game, which is to be expected.
Sunday lunch was nice, roast beef and all the trimmings, but would rather have been in a livelier section of the ground.
Maybe next time eh ?

 

I think a lot of us were quiet yesterday.
Pleased you had a nice day. Local Hero get's to everyone.

 

That's a good post GITF, have to admit I was thinking about you yesterday having to watch that rubbish, I knew you'd enjoy being home though.
I waved at every redhead I saw yesterday, (good job we're not in Scotland) but hopefully next time you're up you'll witness a better game.

 

Great Intro.

 

Coming back in March ? For the Stoke game, so Pards et al have been pre warned. Lol
GITF wants goals galore...........

 

I predicted 3-2 yesterday .

Your right AB a great intro.

 

very nice post pleased to see the north east went down well, should have offered to take him for a few bevvies might have had a drinks tab........

 

Funny thing, one of my friends innocently asked why we as Geordies chose Local Hero as an iconic tune for our team, she said and l quote...

But it's a Scottish tune ! .......lol. When we explained she then said and l quote ..... Who's Mark Knoppler lol till l cried. Classic, you couldnt make it up,

 

Wye aye man.

 

Mark Knoppler is God tell her.

 

Didn't want to run the risk of her asking, but who's God ?..... She does have blonde hair, oops guess that remark is gonna get me in stook with somebody.

 

You'll learn through time.

 

Lol is she coming with you in March? If so get her listening to Dire Straits.

 

Get some of the lady posters to take her around the shops in town, she'll enjoy that.