Sydney to Newcastle – Fulfilling a 31-Year Premier League Pilgrimage

[VPS]

Thanks for the photos. I almost expected to see Vera peering at a dead body in the background of those shots of the Newcastle riverfront. It must have been somewhat chilly wandering the streets in that snow.

I remember waiting at the bus stop in Newcastle and everyone wanting to chat and when they knew I was an Aussie - OMG they needed to know every detail of my life and yes I was called pet and hen

PS loving this TR

 

[kamchatsky]

Wetherspoons is a great pub chain for cheap drinks in interesting, generally historical buildings, but the meals are very average,

Agreed. Seems to be a place to hang out for average Joes. Good for the price though.

I avoid spoons unless there is no alternative and there always is. YMMV

My friend mentioned to me about this afterwards.

Feel a bit sorry for that guitarist at Stack!

Me too. Must be boring as hell. But during match day he would have performed in front of a lot of people. All balanced out, I guess.

Good trip report, I have a few I should add to paper.

Thank you!

Thanks for the photos. I almost expected to see Vera peering at a dead body in the background of those shots of the Newcastle riverfront. It must have been somewhat chilly wandering the streets in that snow.

It was chilly. But I don't have problem with this as I used to live in Chicago in winter. Newcastle is considered "mild" to me. However, the worst thing is actually walking at just under 0 degrees. The light snow melts and then turned to ice. I had to walk very slowly in some areas to avoid slipping.

I remember waiting at the bus stop in Newcastle and everyone wanting to chat and when they knew I was an Aussie - OMG they needed to know every detail of my life and yes I was called pet and hen

PS loving this TR

I had no idea about what "pet and hen" means and I had to Chatgpt it. But now I get it!

 

[moa999]

United but it also sells other teams' souvenirs and memorabi
View attachment 495262

Sane foundation year as a Melbourne based AFL team who wears similar colours, and arguably a similar working class support base.

Also did the tour five years ago when visiting Newcastle.
One thing that struck versus Aussie stadiums was the small size of the screens (not that EPL replays anything contentious) and also how hemmed in the short side of the stadium is against heritage housing.

 

[kamchatsky]

4 January 2026

Match Day 1, Newcastle UK

Today is match day 1. I woke up at 8am, snow fell overnight but then cleared up in the morning. So as usual I went out for a walk.

Innside Melia Newcastle along the River Tyne


Next to Innside Melia is the Quayside Weatherspoon. I went in for breakfast and drinks for 6.8GBP. The food was OK, the drink was very average. Then again it was only 6.8GBP.


It was a Sunday so there was a market along the Quayside. It was early morning so there were not many people yet.


Then I walked to Millenium Bridge and then crossed to the other side:

I saw the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art after crossing the bridge, so I went inside to have a look. Entry is free but donation is encouraged:


Once I went to the top, I just realised that this is a good place to take picture of the River Tyne, with the Millenium Bridge and the Tyne Bridge/Mini Coathanger together. The curved glass building is the Glasshouse International Centre for Music (ie live music venue, I didn't go there).


I only spent 15 minutes in the museum, and I found the museum display very uninteresting. So I walked back across the bridge to the Market, then towards the city centre:

I walked around the city for a while before going to St James' Park for the match. The match starts at 3pm, but because I bought Club St James Hospitality Ticket, I need to be there at 12:30pm for pre-match meal.

Walking to SJP I walked past The Strawberry, one of the famous local pubs.


I booked Club St James Hospitality ticket. I ended up sitting with a couple from Little Rock, USA, and a local father and son on the same table. We had our 3-course meal prior to match, then come back at half-time for snacks, and then at Full Time there was dessert.

The meals were below. We all had a great time talking all about NUFC.


Starter


Main Course


Pre-match Dessert


Full Time Dessert


Also as part of the Club St James hospitality, there were hosts, youth players and former player doing pre-match, mid-match and post-match analysis as well.


It is now time for the match!

 

[kamchatsky]

4 January 2026

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace @ St James' Park

When I went to my seat, I just realised that I had a very good seat. It is just behind the officials and near the dugouts. I was very happy as I could not believe that I was there in person!

However, I would be even happier if we win and get the 3 points!




The place was VERY noisy, much more than I expected when I watched them on TV.


I got to capture great view of players throughout the match. Captain Bruno with his daughter before match here:


The players and coaches getting ready before game starts:


Then the game starts. I was very happy where I sit as I could see the players very clearly! There were chances in 1st half but at the end it was 0-0. We had 1 goal ruled offside:




After half time, the lights are already turned on as it was getting dark at 4pm:

We ended up scoring 2 goals during the second half. One from our Captain Bruno G and another one from our Centre Back Thiaw. I was very happy to see them win!





It was a solid win, at the end the players walked around the pitch and thank all the fans.


After the match, we went back to Club St James for the dessert and drinks and chatted with everyone on the table. After that I went back to the hotel for rest. I was very happy, as I have fulfilled my dream of 31-years!

Here it the highlight of the match in Youtube:

My next match will be vs Leeds United in 3 days' time!

 

[VPS]

4 January 2026

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace @ St James' Park

When I went to my seat, I just realised that I had a very good seat. It is just behind the officials and near the dugouts. I was very happy as I could not believe that I was there in person!

However, I would be even happier if we win and get the 3 points!

View attachment 495461


The place was VERY noisy, much more than I expected when I watched them on TV.
View attachment 495462

I got to capture great view of players throughout the match. Captain Bruno with his daughter before match here:
View attachment 495463

The players and coaches getting ready before game starts:
View attachment 495464View attachment 495465

Then the game starts. I was very happy where I sit as I could see the players very clearly! There were chances in 1st half but at the end it was 0-0. We had 1 goal ruled offside:
View attachment 495466
View attachment 495473
View attachment 495468View attachment 495467

After half time, the lights are already turned on as it was getting dark at 4pm:

We ended up scoring 2 goals during the second half. One from our Captain Bruno G and another one from our Centre Back Thiaw. I was very happy to see them win!

View attachment 495469
View attachment 495474
View attachment 495475

It was a solid win, at the end the players walked around the pitch and thank all the fans.
View attachment 495471View attachment 495472View attachment 495478View attachment 495479

After the match, we went back to Club St James for the dessert and drinks and chatted with everyone on the table. After that I went back to the hotel for rest. I was very happy, as I have fulfilled my dream of 31-years!

Here it the highlight of the match in Youtube:

My next match will be vs Leeds United in 3 days' time!

it's great when they actually win - it would have been fantastic just to be there but a win is definitely the icing on the cake.

 

[kamchatsky]

Sane foundation year as a Melbourne based AFL team who wears similar colours, and arguably a similar working class support base.

Also did the tour five years ago when visiting Newcastle.
One thing that struck versus Aussie stadiums was the small size of the screens (not that EPL replays anything contentious) and also how hemmed in the short side of the stadium is against heritage housing.

Yes, it is the same foundation year as Collingwood.

SJP is built in the city so easy to go around. The owners want to expand SJP further but because of Leazes Terrace heritage building, they are unable to do so. This would also explain why they cannot install huge screens. They are looking at options including building a new stadium which would allow them to install big screens. But the challenge is that most fans love the location of SJP and don't want to move out of the area. They are looking at building at Leazes Park as an option.