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 .

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. I always remember player should be. I had a big row hard work - it is still there. The and anticipation. Laurent Robert tying his boots for with a guy at a hotel in really sad part is that with those what seemed like 10 minutess Manchester, he was slagging Alan industries all but disappearing How big a factor was football in and dad was shouting, "how long off and I just gave him the then you end up with so many your relationship with your dad? does it take to tie those F***ing evidence. Shearer just does the talented people who can't pass on It bonded my dad and me until shoelaces." Great memories such things he needs to, I've met their skills. the day he died. When he was as that 5-0 against Manchester Shearer many times - he thinks older and couldn't get to all the United, his joy of watching them before he speaks and handles I can't claim to have been a matches, I would ring him after play as a real team. Though he himself so well. massive fan of your musical

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www.themag.co.uk THE MAG 25 career, apologies. Howevel have it.but then you also get goal despite a defender hanging lust suddenly stood up and said your single 'Up On The Roof' people who are bitter and don't onto his neck, marvellous. 'l'm going'. had me up on my feet, though feel the same, lt goes with the Have you ever felt like giving up not exactly dancing. lf anybody territory, for many acting is an Which Newcastle players have on the club? checks out the video that went escape and not the chance to you met who lived up to your Neveç unlike plenty of players with the release they will see a broaden their horizons, which is expectations? and managers over the years. copy of The Mag taking centre what I did. Spoke to many who Shearer definitely tops the lot. stage on the table 'Up On The have left and used the acting as a I actually worked with Ginola on What reaction do you get from Roof'. I was flicking round the chance to get away. 'Northern Lights', with Mark people when they find out you TV channels when I first are a Newcastle fan? happened to see the video and Half of them laugh and say laughed my head off when I something along the lines of, 'so saw it, how did you end up what's happening now with your using The Mag as a prop? lot'. At the same time most The video was filmed in New people have praise for the people and the theme was an and the ground, plus talk about escape from life, the director said having great times when they've we needed props and one of visited the city for a match. them should be a book that was important to me and he was When people find out you are susgesting Georse orweus lç*"ËHHffi from Newcastle do they '1984'andvariousothers, lsaid §tsffiffiWffi&ffikË m §E @ffiW @ && M -J '=: E B ffi æÉ assume you are a fan of the to him I had just the thing to hand, club? The Mag is my bible! Yes, people make that assumption almost every time, the I also noticed you managed to unity of city and club is so strong, sneak footage of a Mag seller very strong identity. outside St.James' Park in the excellent 'How The North Was What are your hopes & Built' which was on TV expectations for the coming recently? season? I was asked to do the Hope is top six and my programme but there was one expectation is survival, problem. Originally it was based around the 12 clubs who What would be your perfect originally formed the Football matchday? League, which didn't It is all about being with include...Newcastle. So I said I people you enjoy being with, would do it but only if they moved doing something you all love. lt the goalposts and included our would involve a few pints Iot, really en.loyed making it as ,l.t;,îjF, beforehand, chattrng before, that well. exciiement and anticipation, watching ihem play like in the KK You seem keen to 'give era. I remember after Tino's something back' and I Barca match, I didn't want to go understand you set up 'Coastal home and wanted to stay and Productions' as part of that cherish it forever. One great belief, is it something you see memory from last season was for as important? Would you be able to find a role Benton, we were traffic wardens some reason I fancied us to beat When people ask, Coastal for somebody like Joe Kinnear and very bitter, only putting tickets Chelsea 3-2 and had S50 on at Productions is the thing I am most in one of your productions, or on flash cards. There was a Jag 66-1, I was in the cushioned seats proud of. I get asked so many do you think punters would find and the driver was Ginola, I ask with Dunlop, as l'm an times how do you get to be actor the character a bit too far- him to sign the parking ticket ambassador for their fishing and it simply was a case of getting fetched? insteadl Mac is another, I'm not in range... that was some day. my opportunity and grabbing it. lt Definitely, it would have to be awe of actors but different with is great having the chance of been a comedy. I honestly think it would players. I chat with Ben Arfa at Older people (like us!) tend to able to invest in people and give be in the realms of fantasy, very the gym, he actually has say going to the matches isn't them that same opportunity, entertaining for all the wrong aspirations to be an actor. Others like when we first went etc etc, creating those opportunities in ihe reasons. lf Joe wants us to such as Tiote, Shola, Steven do you think it is just as exciting north east and making stuff here become Champions League...l Taylor and Harper also go there, for kids now or has that been that sells. At one point we were was abroad and my brother rang all really nice. diluted? employing hundreds of people up and said JFK's back, I couldn't I think it is the same for kids, and at its peak produced forty believe it. High points following Newcastle just as exciting, as you get older hours of television one year, which United? you know how things can be and is remarkable. Things are tougher When you played football as a It would be the Kevin Keegan so it is a different experience. The now but we continue to develop a kid, who did you pretend to be? years, the way to play the beautiful first match I took my son to was fair amount at the moment. Supermac, I never had his game, win or lose. the Dyer and Bowyer fight, he was speed but I bizarrely developed a really upset by that. Then he saw Do you understand it when way of running with my legs ...and the low points? us get beat 3-0 next followed by a other people, especially bowed. lt was an escape from the It would have to be me and my boring 1-1. He wouldn't go back Geordies, become successful pit village like all my mates dad at a Man City game a few and now Taylor supports Arsenal and don't want to go out of their though, I'll never know what it's years ago. We never used to leave and takes the mick out of me very way to help others get a leg up? like to score for Newcastle, that beforehand but my dad had had well, I always regret not being I do understand to an extent, image of Mac in the semi-final enough in this particular match as able to take him to watch ihat that kind of unity is great when you against Burnley - scoring that the players had just given up, dad Keegan team.

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