Newcastle fans are longing to have a top side again like we had in the five years of the Kevin Keegan era and then with Sir Bobby Robson for another five years.
New manager Rafa Benitez has caught the imagination of the Newcastle fans and maybe that’s because he wanted to come to Newcastle and not even that, but he then rather amazingly agreed to stay on even though we were relegated.
Newcastle fans had wanted Rafa Benitez last summer and then they wanted him in early March when Steve McClaren was finally fired – even though it was far too late.
The confident Rafa Benitez first arriving at Newcastle
And we had been wondering how the season ticket sales would go and whether in the second tier of English football we could even have a sold-out St. James’ Park.
Well it looks like that is possible with news today that Newcastle United supporters have been queuing for season tickets.
SEASON TICKETS: Queues at the Box Office but it's a beautiful day on Tyneside. If you want to buy in person, we're open 'til 5pm. ??????
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 6, 2016
We knew there was lot of interest in the season tickets – maybe because we are going to win a lot more games next season than the nine we won last season – and three of those were with Rafa in charge – in the final six games of the season.
Newcastle looked a good side in those last six games and we looked like a top six team.
Benitez had already improved some players – like Vurnon Anita, Moussa Sissoko, Andros Townsend, Jamaal Lascelles – and others.
And the fans implored (begged?) Rafa to stay and build a top side again on Tyneside and it seems they are backing him completely to be successful in doing that by snapping up the season tickets.
Last time we were in the Championship we had an average home attendance of 43,388 beating second place Derby by more than 14,000.
This time around the average home attendance could be over 50,000.
This could only happen at Newcastle and it will make Rafa Benitez more determined than ever to build a top side at Newcastle to reward the fans.
Heaven knows the Newcastle fans deserve something for their loyal support since we last had a successful side back in 2004.
The very good season ticket sales will only help persuade the good players to stay on at the club – and players we are after in the transfer market will likely want to join Newcastle in the summer.
It’s all good news and high attendances at home games will also help in getting those many wins we will need to immediately be promoted back to where we belong – the Premier League.
Howay The Lads!!
22 comments so far
Jib
Jun 6, 2016 at 7:52 PM
Comment #1Welshie
Who will take over from Warren Gatland when your Rugby team gets humped in New Zealand ?
ZIPPIE57
Jun 6, 2016 at 7:58 PM
Comment #2Brilliant news , the fortress St James, the Cathedral on the hill !!!!!
welshgeordie9
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:00 PM
Comment #3Jib
Now now no need to be like that, I was only asking because whethe he’s going to be successful or not how the hell are we going to replace a top manager like him somtime in the future we would have to replace him.
kimbo
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:00 PM
Comment #4Well I have done it after saying I would never go again as long as Ashley was there.I have bought a ticket for next season with 2 others who have not had a season ticket in years. RAFA effect has worked and a 50+ old has the buzz again.
welshgeordie9
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Comment #5Regarding Rubgy not that bothered to be honest.
Jib
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Comment #6According to the German media
Arbeloa is fancied by Rafa as Janmaat’s replacement but he is facing opposition from Turkish club Fenerbahce and the Chinese league
Jib
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:05 PM
Comment #7Welshie tell the truth you were being a little Swansea shit stirrer there – what we call a workie – ticket
😀
bettyswallocks
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:15 PM
Comment #8Jib….. Thanks for the support regarding Rotonda’s comments. He can insult me all he likes I’m thick skinned but when a professional sportsman and a key figure in our club is subjected to such abusive comments from a wannabe like him then I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he decided enough’s enough and decided to leave.
He must understand this is a public blog and the club are aware of it and check it as a way to gauge the fans mood. He must learn to act more responsibly when posting.
welshgeordie9
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:23 PM
Comment #9Wasn’t shit stirring at all, i like to think ahead, he has signed a 3 year deal that’s great, if he does well that’s great but what I’m trying to say if after 3 years or more and some team comes in for him because he’s done well then who are we going to get, after Pardew and Mcclaren, Benitez has raised the bar so high then the next manager has got to be in the same league as him and not like the previous two, so on that note i hope and pray Benitez will be successful.
Back Door Man
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:31 PM
Comment #10I’m sure that many of those jumped-up little squirts in dodgy suits and bad haircuts, when resisting the seductive beckonings of idleness after a training session, read all sorts of stuff on the throbnet … maybe, even what’s posted here.
Remember, this place ain’t that many clicks away from the mainstream media that our ‘heroes’ love to infest.
So, I’m quite comfortable with the risk that they might read stuff here which calls into question or applauds their contribution. However, like betty, I think any comments should be ‘measured’ … mind, we’ve all seen stuff on here that would make Coloccini’s perm straighten which shock.
Back Door Man
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:33 PM
Comment #11Oh, and much of it written about him!
Jib
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:39 PM
Comment #12Welshie
The other day I googled Rafa Benitez and google said other people you may wish to see – Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho
Later I googled Alan Pardew
other people you may wish to see
Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis !!!!
😀
bettyswallocks
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:47 PM
Comment #13BDM…….. I’m glad it’s not just me that thinks it’s not a good idea to criticise the players too strongly on here. Particularly the ones we are trying to encourage to stay.
Rotonda does have some good input to his name but I just wish he would look at the bigger picture sometimes rather than just focus ing on his own personal agenda.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 6, 2016 at 8:54 PM
Comment #14Welsh,
Why are you worried about 3 years in advance? If Rafa is as much of a success to tempt one of the big clubs to go after him, the we will be in a position to select from a fairly wide range of talented managers. If he isn’t he either will still be here, or have been relieved of his role, in which case I’d imagine a change of tack again by Ashley if he is still around at that point.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:01 PM
Comment #15Betty,
I don’t agree with Rotonda on quite a lot of stuff, but picking him out in particular from all the bloggers for slagging a player off isn’t really fair. I’ve seen some horrendous stuff said about our players on here – and staff – which isn’t justified. I doubt there are many on here who haven’t been guilty of it at times!
For what it’s worth, I was fairly vocal in my displeasure at us trying to sign Townsend. He has been fantastic for us, and it would be a real shame to lose him. I’m happy to admit I pegged him wrong. Rotonda wasn’t the only one.
Jib
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:04 PM
Comment #16Boro paid £350.000 for Daniel Ayala
They’ve just asked Rafa for £15 million for him !
Delusional smog-monsters
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:07 PM
Comment #17Jib,
Delusional? Why? Maybe they don’t want him to leave so set an unrealistic asking price. No stranger than when we supposedly told Chelsea £20million for Tiote!
Ibizatoon
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:09 PM
Comment #18Betty….Would we risk losing Townsend if I inquired what were the abusive comments that Rotonda made?
bettyswallocks
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:11 PM
Comment #19Lilongwe……. This blog is designed for people to air their views and have a good rant or praise the team depending on how it played. Obviously some players will be subjected to criticism and others to praise. That’s perfectly normal for a football blog.
My point was that it seems unfair and heavy handed to slag a player off unmercifully before he has even kicked a ball for us, it’s hardly welcoming behaviour.
Yo-yo
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:13 PM
Comment #20ib // Jun 6, 2016 at 1:10 PM
betty and rotonda having a cat fight
handbags at 20 paces
Ha ha ha
They’re both as thick as pigshite
?
Jib // Jun 6, 2016 at 7:21 PM
Betty
You actually make a good point for all of Rotondas mockery.
I have a son who works in a different endeavour to sport .
He is very conscious of comments about him on the internet.
He reads everything posted and can be quite hurt by ill considered criticism.
I just think people should think bfore posting some comments about players
Only connect JIB –
What’s with the most abusive blogger on here come over all sensitive ?
Still stirring the pot I see.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:16 PM
Comment #21Betty,
Yeah, that is a fair point, but Rotonda wasn’t the only one to slag off Townsend – I did it, as did quite a few others. Plenty have also slagged off other players to sign for us before kicking a ball as well.
Still, people judge the players prior to signing on what they have seen/know/read/seen on Champ Man and form opinions based on that, which are surely no less valid than opinions formed after a player has played for us?
AncientC
Jun 6, 2016 at 9:25 PM
Comment #22I stayed out of the Townsend disagreements during his transfer negotiations, as I had not seen enough of him playing, but isn’t it all a bit early to be claiming Townsend turned out to be a good signing.
He hit some good form at the end of the season over 5 or 6 games, playing for his place at Euro 2016. Ultimately, we were still relegated and his contribution was wasted.
It is still far too early to be giving out verdicts and claiming who had Townsend pegged right, imo.
Let’s see what he can contribute over a season, how he reacts to dips in form etc.