Tom_NUFC

Aye, summer of 1996. It was the summer we signed Shearer cos he signed and then flew out to join the rest of the team and the Chronicle had photos of him in the airport departure lounge wearing an NUFC tracksuit, accompanied by Freddie Fletcher. I believe it was the Thailand national team we played, but I'm sure we played matches in Hong Kong and Malaysia as well. *checks NUFC.com* Half right. A 2-1 win against Thailand, followed by a 5-0 victory over an S-League All Stars XI in Singapore and then a 3-1 loss to Japanese side Gamba Osaka.

Cats are great. They can be sociable and want attention, but they're not clingy like dogs. You don't have to go out in bad weather to walk them.

Up until the 18th century it used to be a lot more acceptable. Almost every city and town in England would have a street named 'Gropecunt Lane' which was where Prostitutes would ply their trade (Newcastle's Gropecunt Lane is now known as Pink Lane). If you go back to before the 16th century some of the prostitutes themselves would be known by surnames like Smallcunt or Widecunt etc. So I'm not sure why its no longer acceptable, but I would suggest its related to Prostitution which became more morally unacceptable by the turn of the 19th century.

Used to spot myself on telly quite a bit as I sat in the old family enclosure benches (later seats) under the East Stand in the early 90s. I used to get a few autographs off players. I remember getting Shearer's when he was still at Blackburn. He signed and I turned over the folded paper on which I'd written 'I will sign for Newcastle'. A bit shit/ predictable like but he laughed. I remember during the derby at SJP towards the end of the promotion season 92/93. It poured down and the pitch was waterlogged. Players were sliding into lakes that formed on the cinder track. Barry Venison came over to take a throw in and I shouted 'Howay Barry!' He looked at me and said 'Hey I'm fucking freezing!'

A 2-1 away win against the Smogs - I think was probably the closest. Tino's debut I reckon that was. First NUFC game of my life cane some 3 weeks after I was born (January 1979 saw very bad weather apparently), and we lost 2-0 away at Leyton Orient. No wonder it was the winter of discontent.

Same here.

Born - YMCA - The Village People First Day of Primary School - Red Red Wine - UB40 First Day of Secondary School - The Joker - The Steve Miller Band Last Day of Secondary School (16) - Boom Boom Boom - The Outhere Brothers 18th Birthday - 2 Become 1 - Spice Girls Last Day of Sixth Form - I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy & Faith Evans 21st Birthday - I Have A Dream - Westlife Starting Uni (some years later as I was a mature student) - Call On Me - Eric Prydz Graduating Uni - Umbrella - Rihanna ft Jay-Z Starting my Current Job - Dance Wiv Me - Dizzy Rascal ft Calvin Harris & Chrome 30th Birthday - Hallelujah - Alexandra Burke A pretty atrocious selection.

Tiote's against Arsenal was brilliant, but I'd still go for Ben Arfa away to Everton. It was immense. He just danced through the defence. It was beautiful.

It's only England.

Five Live saying that Shearer has issued a statement saying that he held talks with Cardiff but that they were unsuccesful.

With it being the family enclosure I don't think its a problem, although I did also wonder about the Geordie Boot Boys one.

I work just off Shields Rd and was on my dinner. There was a huge Boom at about 12.30 and we looked outside and the sky was full of thick smoke. It was mainly blowing away from us, but it did hit the Shields Rd area in waves. It'd be fine then very hazy with acrid fumes then it would clear up and then come back. We had windows and doors shut but when the smoke was about it still got in and it wasn't pleasant. The office got closed at about 3.30 but by then I think the worst was over with and it wasn't too bad.

Yeah, I'll probably stay and applaud. That's about the team, and I have no problem with the team this season. We've done miles better than I either expected or feared.

He was like that.

David Kelly and Chris Waddle both briefly turning out for the Mackems. Justin Fashanu played a game for us (away to Peterborough in the League Cup 91/92 season I think? He had some jewellry pinched from the changing room). Franck Dumas signed for us, then f*cked off a few games into the season. Andy Carroll played for Preston.

By the way, has anybody had this? A Hell-style lager from the Austrian town of Fucking. Not had it myself.

Furstenburg is class. Brooklyn Lager is great as well, they had it draught in The Tyne last time I was in, I've had bottles a few times, but that was the first time I had it on draught. I've discovered this at Rehills recently (not in the chillers though, on the shelves directly opposite). Augustiner Hell. It is FANTASTIC. I have to say, I really like Marksies own brand beers. The Czech and German lagers are both really nice, but the Italian Lager is my favourite and I actually prefer it to Peroni. Its a shame they've changed the name and packaging though as I thought the old packaging was better when it was called Birra D'Oro.

I've found it a bit tricky. On the one hand I think Yes can't be too bad simply because David Cameron wants you to vote No. On the other hand, I can't see how AV is fairer. Depending on who you vote for some people will get more votes than others, what with the different rounds. It's like oh your candidate's been knocked out, go on have another go. I understand that other people will see it differently, but that's how I see it and I don't see that as being fair. Then there's the fact that AV increases the chance of coalition governments. Granted we've got this one courtesy of First Past the Post, but I don't want the chance of this to increase. It's a licence for parties to break promises and say well we can't do this anymore because we're in a coalition. Parties will be chucking their manifestos in the bin and then what what do they stand for and what are we voting for? So when it comes to the crunch for all I don't like Cameron, I'm afraid I have to accept that I agree with him on this issue. Here's hoping for a No victory and for the Lib Dems to get battered. Hopefully tomorrow morning the Toon will be back in Labour hands.

sad news. RIP

Just bought this second-hand Yamaha SG-500 today for £212.50 including flight case. Very good price I thought, and wondered if there was something wrong with it but aside from a couple of very small superficial scratches, its fine. Not a guitar, but I also bought this Mahalo, electric-acoustic Telecaster shaped Ukelele.

I've checked with the club and they've confirmed that they have my application, so that's a relief

I agree with Kitman's view. The team have generally done well, they have maintained the team spirit, determination and dignity forged last year, and have given us something to build upon, subject of course to the summers arrivals and departures. The manager(s) have done OK. I'd echo that the jury is still out on Pardew. He hasn't done badly and has largely picked up where Hughton left off and hasn't rocked the boat too much. I'm still angry about Hughton's sacking and I don't think we'd be in too diffrent a position than the one we're currently in. The board. It hasn't been the worst year for Ashley & Llambias, but the sports direct@sjp continues to linger on in the background and there's been the awful sd logo on the Gallowgate. As I've already said, the Hughton sacking was poor. Over Carroll, I don't entirely believe their version of events though I'd say the same for Carrolls side if the story. They should have got a striker or two in anyway regardless of whether he was off or not. We've struggled and although we've just about got through, it hasn't made things easy. There are things they have got right. I think the season ticket schemes and range of options available are pretty good (they just need to organise it a bit better re those of us who put in for a move). I think that if they were a bit more open and engaging with the fans, a lot of problems could be ironed out. If it's a case of we haven't got a lot to spend because of 'x y and z' fans will accept it easier, because they've heard it straight without any rumour or speculation which breeds mistrust. It's not about justification, it's about being upfront with the people who care about NUFC more than anyone - us, the fans. If things are shit (I'm not saying they are), then just be honest and tell us.

I've put in to move as well and have had the same e-mail. It's probably fine but I have this nagging doubt it's got lost or something. It would have been nice if us movers could have had an e-mail just saying thank you for your application we'll process it in May. At least then you'd know it had got there. Instead you get one saying we've noticed you haven't renewed, please ignore if you requested a move. Well I did but is that why I've got the e-mail, or is it cos it's gone missing somewhere and they think I've not renewed? I'm gonna have to get in touch and get them to confirm they got it.

I think the 'Get Your Season Ticket Now!' they had on ?Tyne Tees back in the early 90s was more cringeworthy.

August 85 v Luton at home. Drew 2-2. I was 6.