Football Fever

St. James Park

Yesterday Hubby, Alexander and I went to see Newcastle United play Bolton Wanderers at St. James Park. Hubby and Jordan have had season tickets for years as did I until the arrival of Alexander eight years ago. Jordan decided not to grace us with his presence as he was having a teenage strop over an incident the night before. However, I was really looking forward to the game - although with a slight feeling of dread that after twenty minutes Alexander would be bored and want to go home or try other distraction tactics.

As it was, we had decent seats, on an aisle which meant had Alexander wanted to have a wander around in the concourse he could easily have done so. But he didn't. He sat right through, only once asked for his iTouch but put it away again a few minutes later. He was mesmerised by the crowd, and a few of the usual characters that are dotted around in the stands. Like this guy!
- and the old man in front who became so agitated and vocal that I'll eat my hat if he doesn't keel over with a hear attack at a game. He had a huge vocabulary of offensive words and spat them out at the referee with such force that his teeth almost came out too. Not exactly the kind of person I'd normally encourage my son to listen to, but thats what you get at football matches. You also get lots of men who have drunk more beer than their bladder can hold and who flit back and forth to the toilets and in our case some 'anonymous' bearer of flatulence that at times had most of the stand choking. Alexander being of the age that finds this kind of behaviour hilarious giggled his way through most of the second half.

Sat beside us was another older man who chatted on to Alexander about who his favourite player was and other Newcastle stuff which managed to distract him from the less pleasant aspects.
The game wasn't the most exciting game I've been to, but just being at St James Park is such a thrill. I've been lucky to be there for some great events. The Barcelona game when we beat them after the most amazing match. The atmosphere was electric. How the stadium didn't collapse with the noise I'll never know.

I was at the Peter Beardsley Testimonial game which was pretty special, and also when Alan Shearer hobbled onto the centre circle on crutches at his final farewell match.

The most emotional was the Bobby Robson match for his cancer charity. Right through the game, everyone in the stadium - and probably outside too were choking back tears as Sir Bobby was pushed onto the pitch in his wheelchair.

Sir Bobby died just days after the match and then St James became the mecca for fans from all over the world to leave scarves and shirts and remember the man who did so much for football.

As things stand, we are hoping to buy season tickets for us both for next year. Alexander said he would like to go and we would probably be able to get them in the family stand, so there will be other kids his age and fewer 'unpleasant' distractions. Trips to the match also include a visit to Mama Mia's in The Bigg Market - our favourite Italian restaurant and part of the match day 'ritual'.

I can't wait!