There was just an amazing turnout for Steve Harper’s testimonial tonight at St. James Park, where the official attendance was 50,793.
AC Milan Glorie line up before the testimonial game tonight
The match was between the Newcastle Legends side and an AC Milan Glorie side, with Milan finally winning on a penalty shoot out 2-1, after the game finished with no score on either side.
It’s a tribute to Steve Harper, the Newcastle fans and the legendary players on display, that the game attracted such a fantastic crowd- and all in aid of local charities too.
This game marked 20 years of loyal service at Newcastle for Steve Harper, who joined the club back in 1993 when the great Kevin Keegan was manager, and Steve made 199 appearances for the Magpies.
Andy Cole hit the post, and Lee Bowyer, Nolberto Solano, Tino Asprilla and Paul Kitson also went close for the legends side.
For Milan, the incomparable Paolo Maldini, as well as Maurizio Ganz and Christian Lantignotti also went close for the Italians.
But it was some night for the Newcastle fans, who witnessed some of the great players of the past – and it was a fitting tribute to Steve Harper, and his 20 years of loyal service at Newcastle United.
It would be great to see Steve Harper back on Tyneside in the future as a coach at Newcastle.
Take a walk down memory lane, and just look at some of the former greats who were on display tonight.
Teams:
Newcastle United Legends: (4-4-2): Steve Harper (Shay Given 25, Pavel Srnicek 60); Nolberto Solano (Steve Watson 52, Steve Stone 72), Darren Peacock (Brian Kilcline 52, Olivier Bernard 73), Nikos Dabizas, John Beresford (Alessandro Pistone 35); Ruel Fox (Keith Gillespie 35, Paul Kitson 67), Lee Bowyer (Joey Barton 60), Rob Lee (Nicky Butt 35, Kevin Nolan 60, Ed Speed 75), David Ginola (Scott Sellars 52, Alan Thompson 67); Alan Shearer (Peter Beardsley 46, Tommy Speed 75), Les Ferdinand (Faustino Asprila 20, Andrew Cole 46)
Subs not used: n/a
AC Milan Glorie: Sebastiano Rossi (Massimo Taibi 41); Giuseppe Pancaro (Pietro Vierchowod 51), Giuseppe Favalli, Franco Baresi (Roberto Mussi 42), Paolo Maldini; Massimo Oddo (Ibrahim Ba 51), Alessandro Costacurta, Mark Van Bommel (Roberto Lorenzini 79), Gianluigi Lentini (Daniele Massaro 51); Paolo Di Canio, Maurizio Ganz (Christian Lantignotti 41)
Sub not used: Angelo Carbone
Attendance: 50,793
93 comments so far
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Comment #41Sage
If it was anything like shearers then yeah you had a great night!!!!
Shearers was possibly one if the best nights I’ve ever had at a footy match I was absolutely mental, especially when sir les got *fouled *cough *cough in the box in the 92nd minute!!!
WWSBRD
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:26 PM
Comment #42toonarmydownsouth
Well they clearly haven’t got a clue about it mate it was good humoured throughout
On Nikos he was the best player in a toon shirt tonight imo didn’t put a foot wrong
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:28 PM
Comment #43TS
Do you know if Fat Ash was there?
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:28 PM
Comment #44TDS
I’m not arguing that you want that but I completely disagree with the wait and see attitude and think every player ex player ex manager has every right to openly criticise Ashley and the p*ss poor way he handles this club
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:30 PM
Comment #45Yo
Sign him up!!!
Also sounds like Tino was out to really enjoy himself, heard he even busted out a bicycle kick! Dangerous for a man of his age 😉
WWSBRD
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Comment #46toonarmydownsouth
Is Nikos still playing? He’d take Saylor spot no bother haha
And yeah it was an outstanding attempt haha he looked like he loved his time back on the pitch as well. Tbh it was just good to see people enjoy playing at St James again seems to of been awhile
Anyway lads am off have a good one
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Comment #47@Joey7Barton: What a turnout tonight. 51k fans for a testimonial. As good a set fans as any in the world. Humbled by my reception. Thank u all very much x
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:36 PM
Comment #48@Joey7Barton: Delighted for @steveharper37 You all did him proud by turning out tonight. What a servant. 20 yrs at one club. What a man. #toonarmy
toonarmydownsouth
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:41 PM
Comment #49@Joey7Barton: All the legends and me… http://t.co/6jREjxDTQe
@MsiDouglas: Tonight was the real #nufc, stripped of the cynicism of the Ashley era. Fantastic night. Well done to @steveharper37 for pulling it off.
ToonDarnSarf
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:42 PM
Comment #50TADS
I don’t have a permanent wait and see attitude. I said judge JFK once the transfer window closed, and he has failed in my eyes. I said judge Pardew in November and we’re not there yet. MA has done a good job of running the club as a business but a terrible job of engaging with the fans. I’d happily see him replaced with the right owner but I’d rather wait and have a stable club for a few seasons than rock the boat for no reason at all other than getting things off my chest.
DoctorZelig
Sep 11, 2013 at 11:54 PM
Comment #51I know Di Canio is now working for the wrong side but huge respect for him tonight.
He is a truly passionate guy. If passion counts for anything anymore he will go far.
Would not want him anywhere near our club but I respect him and will treat him with respect.
Great night only thing that dampened my mood was that I could not help but think about Speedy… He so belonged in there…
Ciaran
Sep 12, 2013 at 12:03 AM
Comment #52Tonight was an example of what our club could, and should be. Both delighted for Harper, and upset over how bad things currently are at the club.
bishopblaize
Sep 12, 2013 at 12:17 AM
Comment #53I’ve never known Shearer pass a ball in the box (must of confused every1 lol)
Cracking night!
Hats off to Di Canio .. Better footwork than his beloved Mackems
😉
Hope Graham Carr was watching .. Speedys young Boys in the making.
Nice one Harps .. Let’s ava anoter 1
Mister Tuff
Sep 12, 2013 at 12:20 AM
Comment #54Seems to have been a good night at SJP. Whilst it was a match where nothing was at stake it makes me ask the question -what is the purpose of a football team. I suppose in the early days having a local team enabled
local lads who were good enough to exhibit their skills and more folk came to watch and be entertained.
Football is different now -it’s a multi million pound entertainment business – but what’s the purpose of a team – it surely must be to entertain. What should the
asperations of a team be -surely to reach for the stars in all competitions – to be the best -to thrill and entertain the supporters.
What should a team not be – whilst I do not like a club to be the toy or plaything of a billionaire subject to his whims -it seems now that football success is directly
proportional to the obscene amount of cash offered to the best players in order to “buy” team success.
What a football team should not be is a team without hope or aspiration of success -it should also not be an entity used as a vehicle to establish the unrelated business success of it’s owner.
Steve Harper uttered some wise words tonight about Ashley. I fear Harpers words will not get a response from El Gourdo. I fear dark days ahead.
ToonArfa
Sep 12, 2013 at 12:34 AM
Comment #55Anita-colo-mbiwa-santon
——sissoko—cabaye——
Benny—marvo—–remy
————–cisse—————
That line up would ruin any team with goals!
Shame pardew hasnt got the bollocks!
Jail for Ashley
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:14 AM
Comment #56The response Joey Barton got showed what the majority of fans think of Ashley.
theartfuldodger
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:18 AM
Comment #57At the next interview we can all watch Pardew suck up for his boss when questioned about harpers comments.
Charlietoon
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:19 AM
Comment #58Cheapest tickets in the league? BBC – The cheapest day out is at Newcastle United, at £23.20, while Cardiff City, Norwich City and Manchester City also offer a ticket, a programme, a pie and a cup of tea for less than £30. The Magpies offer the cheapest adult match-day ticket at £15, with the other three clubs selling one for £20.
scout
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:36 AM
Comment #59It’s only 15 notes if you take a kid with you. Lets have it right. It’s about 27 for an adult ticket
Jail for Ashley
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:39 AM
Comment #60It was brought up at the meeting the other week that fans think it’s devaluing the season ticket by offering all the tickets they can’t sell at knockdown prices.
Transfer Sage
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:25 AM
Comment #61scout
Exactly…I can’t find a match day ticket for less than 27 then the 1 pound booking fee on top. Still better than most clubs though
JFA
True, but at the same time it’s better to sell out. You season ticket still guarantees you a seat as well as your same seat so still something to enjoy. But I do understand fans issue when you shell out for a ticket.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:31 AM
Comment #62TS,
Basically, excepting your big games, if your wanging to go to the match then you’ll be better off waiting until they reduce the prices, further false economy by not spending on players.
Pokat
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:33 AM
Comment #63Wanging? Is that cheaper?
bills-son
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:34 AM
Comment #64Jail @ 60,
So I assume you never buy anything at knock down prices because you feel it devalues the product/service that others have paid full price for?
What a load of bollox – the lengths the anti Ashley crowd will go to criticise every single thing he does devalues your credibility imo.
Transfer Sage
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:35 AM
Comment #65jail
Yeh, but there’s something nice about having your season ticket and sitting next to the same blokes for years, get a great spirit in the ground that way. The club need to make sure we keep that spirit. Last night was the best atmosphere I have been in for a good while…since the 3-0 over man utd 2 years ago…but still everything was just great, so upbeat, nobody against Ashley…everyone enjoying the players.
I heard the sports minister on radio this morning saying ticket prices have dropped on average 2% in top 4 divisions…all well and good but went up 8-11% the other year.
I’d like tickets to be cheaper….go to a cricket game at durham and anywhere between 5-20 pounds, not too bad. Only international games cost 60-80 quid but thats for 8 hours play. Football tickets should be capped at £20, don’t need to charge more than that.
Transfer Sage
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:39 AM
Comment #66bills
I agree you should drop ticket prices to sell the last few, makes sense, can’t argue.
I can see why season ticket holders get annoyed, they pay upfront to get cheaper prices…but then again its a balance, they get their same seat, guaranteed to get to a game…they can’t have everything.
cyprus
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:43 AM
Comment #67Congratulations to Harper. Would now be excellent as goalie coach or more, or even on TV.
Di Canio can still play eh. Was an excellent player, was always a fan of his. Till I learned he’s a fascist, that is!
Barton-Nolan. Skills-wise, worse than what we have, but also what we need these days: leadership. Still remember when THEY (not the coach) brought us back from that 0-4. Together with people’s current pet hate, Tiote.
Cabs: Harper indirectly referred to him in yesterday’s interviews, not too positively. In my mind he should apologise to the fans. Still, a good but overrated player.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Comment #68Bills,
Just saying it was an issue brought up at the fans meeting, but my biggest point is that it is false economy, refusing to pay an extra few hundred grand to get a player ‘over the line’ yet are losing tens of thousands every other week in ticket sales because they won’t buy players.
Transfer Sage
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Comment #69cyprus
Nolan is very very underrated in the league, he has a lot of goals for a midfielder, and is a leader like you say.
The sad thing about the sale of him and barton is that it wasn’t a football reason, it was more to do with politics in the club which is a shame.
fatman
Sep 12, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Comment #70i paid a big price for trying to get to the game, i ended up going into anaphylaxis shock i had to sit up in a chair all night looking like Arny out of total recall, and all the painkillers are just sticking in me throat i have done some daft things in the name of football but I’m never trying that again, it must have been the thickest thing tried in the history of medicine, I’m not having another go until the hull game.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Comment #71Fatman,
What exactly is up with you ?
cyprus
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Comment #72Transfer, true. Didn’t we just give Barton away? BTW, saw him vs. Leeds a few days ago, played well. Didn’t realise he was back.
Fatman, read your comment further up as well, hope you get better soon mate.
I see the Ashley clashes going strong… Said would stop commenting on that, will try to stick to it… ok, a parting shot: both sides are equally to blame!
cyprus
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:04 AM
Comment #73Fatman
Are you that famous guy with NUFC on your belly?
Jail for Ashley
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Comment #74Bills,
Mike Ashley is an ‘orrible cnut who cares little for the club and even less about it’s fans, more and more ex players are talking about the toxic atmosphere he has created in which he seems to thrive in, why as a lifelong supporter of our great club do you continue to defend him.
fatman
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:07 AM
Comment #75had two prolapse disks in me neck one was compressing the spinal cored, made worse as i seem to have an allergy to so many things. so my throat partially closed and my face swelled up causing my eyes to bulge.
stan anderson
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Comment #76If it is correct that we have the cheapest match tickets,to
me that says you get what you pay for.
Good luck to Steve Harper and thanks for the sevice you gave to OUR club and for voicing your oppinions.
fatman
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Comment #77I had 2 plastic disc’s fitted as i have an allergy to metal.
Rotonda heights
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Comment #78Sage
We came 5th without Nolan and Barton. Nobody would have mentioned them again if Pardew hadn’t screwed up so bad tactically last season.
Nolan yes gets some goals from a few hopeful flick-ons but he has no pace, creates nothing and wanted a contract taking him till 34 and he wasn’t interested in the incentive scheme for NUFC finishing top 7. OK he’s a good talker.
As for Barton the guy is always trying to be bigger than the club, team, manager, owner etc with a massive ego the size of the Mersey. Trouble wherever he’s been. OK he put on some decent crosses for Carroll.
Despite recent events I’d still take Ben Arfa and Cabaye
over 2 x 30+ year olds.
fatman
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:11 AM
Comment #79cyprus
No a little overweight as i have had long periods of immobility.
Transfer Sage
Sep 12, 2013 at 8:14 AM
Comment #80stan
Thats was the sports ministers point also…if fans want cheap tickets but big signings there must be a compromise. That’s true but from a rough calculation…and being generous here.
£30 average ticket, 19 homes games, 52,000 sell out crowd….comes out around 19mil a year. Thats nothing compared to the average 80mil from TV, 6 mil from wonga, then whatever from other advertising and merchandise (shirts, mugs, match day food/drink, etc).
So surely you could half ticket prices and still not feel a huge impact?
Clubs in germany manage to get by with only 15 euro ticket max price.