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Newcastle United have their fair share of 'celebriÿ' fans and they cover a broad spectrum; from Ant & Dec and the Geordie cast members of Auf Wiedersehn Pet, right through to (cough!) John Mccrirrick. This month sees us interviewing a very special guest and I know which category of 'celebrity' fan I would put him in, a big clue is that he wouldn't be rubbing shoulders with a larger than life 'character' at the races. Star of stage & screen and the Gallowgate terraces, a big thank you to Robson Green. When'researching' / preparing though what I do know for sure is day. were taken back home, we really this interview, I looked on that the north east runs through thought we were going with them various websites including my veins. I've just finished filming I've seen you heading into the to Wembley! Wikipedia and your page in Hungary and as ever, wherever match many times but into the contains no reference at all to I am in the world, I'm always back 'normal' seats, is that your Do you think we are the cursed Newcastle United. Are you the in touch with home to find out preference? generation, just too young to total opposite of your ÿpical what's happening at St.James' I sometimes take up an appreciate that European 'celebrity' fan who likes to tell Park. When I am asked I try my invitation to sit in ihe comfy / success and fated to never see everybody what a big supporter best to hopefully talk eloquently cushioned seats but my big Newcastle win anything? they are but doesn't actually go about the club and I'm never less prefererence is to watch it from The 'lost generation', it to matches, rather somebody than passionate. the Gallowgate where l've gone sounds terrible; 'these children who is a celebriÿ and also goes The great thing is that since the age of seven. Sadly my were fated to be...the lost to watch the team but doesn't wherever I go there are all kinds dad is no longer with us, as is the generation'! shout about it? of people who have a real interest case with Tom Hadaway, there Obviously getting promotion I'm surprised it (supporting and knowledge of the club. One were four of who sat together and was a relief but winning 'Division Newcastle) doesn't get a mention that sticks in my memory is one had great times together in the One' is a bit meaningless in the on my online CV because time I had dinner with ex-Prime Gallowgate. great scheme of things. whenever I am asked about it, I Minister Gordon Brown, what he The crack and the humour is Dad saw the 1950s success story always have plenty to say! didn't know about NUFC wasn't marvellous and the release far and I envy that, winning something better than the constraint of the would just be incredibly emotional. 'comfy' seats. One classic I damaged a vocal cord when moment was I remember Bobby Murray won Wimbledon so I can't Charlton tuited when we beat imagine what ii would be like if it Manchester United 5-0, as Albert was Newcastle winning scored the fifth I was on my feet something. shouting 'Get in, bury them' and When Shearer scored the first he wasn't impressed. You know goal in semi-final against Spurs when you've done something over (1999) it was the nearest I have top but when those moments ever come to blacking out, so come...l'm an exhibitionist at heart overcome by emotion, incredible... and the match is where you can vent your spleen. ln the Do you believe that Tyneside is Gallowgate there is no hassle a bit special compared to the inside, everybody's really friendiy rest of the country? and as I say, the crack is We have always had a real unbeatable. sense of belonging, everyone has a sense of heritage, a great I see we were in the same respect for it, they embrace this school year (different schools!) unique identity. There's something so like me you'd have been 4 honest about Tyneside, it is set years old when Newcastle won apart * of course there are the the Fairs Cup, do you remember marvellous buildings and the team anything about it? of course, but it is all about the I remember my dad going to people, it is the people. the home leg with his friends; I see something like Geordie there was Plum, Happy, at least Shore and I think it is absolutely two were called Geordie * my disgusting and dangerous - hate dad came back in as a 'jelly man'. rt, portraying us as people I knew something special was desperate for recognition, I hate happening and radio was really that misrepresentation. big in those days, the rest of the Cheryl Cole has done really family sitting listening to the well in her life and then she runs match. into what is basically partial racism A later memory that really about her accent with regard to sticks in my mind is five years later her career. Any other accent and in 1974, my brother and myself they wouldn't dare have behaved Maybe that's the distinction, you worth knowing, he was a big were all dressed up by my mam in like that, I defended her to the hilt. love talking about Newcastle football fan in general and waxed black and white outfits and we all I know what it is like coming from United when ASKED rather than lyrical about our great past, from went up to the airport. lmagine our the area and how you have to fight shouting the odds? Jackie Milburn and the Robledo 'surprise'when dad and his mates for everything you achieve. ln That sounds a fair distinction, brothers through to the present got on a planê to London and we terms of people referring to our 24 THE MAG accent or whatever, Lee Mack is Ieaving the ground and tell him was adamant that he'd never seen When the fans are talking more great, he has this routine where he about the game and what had them play better than in the first about the politics and off the has the observation of our accent been said in the Gallowgate end, half of the one goal defeat to pitch stuff at St.James' Park, is off to a tee, the joke revolving he loved hearing it all even when Man.U. when we totally outplayed that proof we are heading into around how when Geordie people he couldn't make it himself. I still them and should have won the rocky waters? begin talking the accent can start miss him after 4 years and after he match and the league. When I was filming in off sounding really tough and then passed away I would be walking Hungary recently I had the ends up going way down and down the street after a game and Of the players you have seen Chronicle, Daily Mirror and makes us sound like we are then get my phone out and ring over the years, which eleven countless others on the phone scared of something! him, then belatedly remember that would be in your own personal wanting to know what I thought he wasn't there anymore. This all star Newcastle United about Kinnear and then it was the What is your earliest memory in happened for some time as I eleven? whole Cisse saga..,very sad, as I connection with Newcastle couldn't quite comprehend that It would be Shay Given in goal just want to hear about how they United? such a big part of my life wasn't and then a back four of Alan played and signings we should The Supermac hattrick there anymore. Kennedy, Coloccini, Albert and have made. against Liverpool was my first There are so many shared Nattrass. Midfield would be game, what a home debut! Five memories at the matches, he Solano, Gazza, Beardsley Ginola; Your family background days later and Mac opened (as in would scream at players who he then up front l'd have Shearer and includes strong links to mining was the honoured guest 'opening' thought weren't trying and a lot of John Tudor. I was thinking Less and the trade unions, plus you it!) a launderette opposite our that came from him working Ferdinand and Terry Hibbitt as yourself went to Swan Hunter's school, he sat at our table at underground in danger with his well but look at that supply line; on leaving school. Do you think dinner time and he told me I had workmates. The same if they Solano and Ginola putting in the that kind of old fashioned hard to eat my peas if I wanted to be a played as individuals rather than crosses. Not Supermac, he was working,/hard living ethos still good football player and for ages as a team, in his working life it was great but started to give up a bit exists in the northeast despite afterwards I was convinced that if essential for everybody to work later in his time here. He was a shipyards and pits now replaced I kept eating them I could make together and watch each other's superstar though" Most favourite by call centres and service it... back, he could be very audible to watch was Gazza but favourite industries? I knew I was going to my first and didn't mind geiting up by player is Shearer, he epitomises to I wouldn't call it old fashioned, match days in advance and I can himself and telling them what was me everything that a Newcastle that sense of integrity, culture and still recall the sense of excitement expected.

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