I have been a Newcastle fan since 1996. It was about this time that English football started being shown somewhat regularly in the U.S. and I just happened to be able to see a couple of Newcastle games and really enjoyed watching them play and the style they played. The more I saw Newcastle, the more I became a fan. Even though I was new to following the Premiership, and for that matter, new to football since about 1993. I am lucky enough to have gotten to see the team play in person when they came to the U.S. in 2000. I saw them play in Columbus against the Crew and couldn't believe my luck to get to meet the team after the game! I literally took the jersey off of my back to have the team autograph it and they were more than willing to do so, which included Bobby Robson. Today that jersey is framed and hanging on the wall in my living room. The only players to have signed the jersey that are still with the team are Shearer and Given. I wonder how much it is worth? Not that I would ever sell it! My dream is to someday go to Newcastle and watch a game at St. James. I have a friend who played with his college team when they traveled to Newcastle and he said it was great. I have been in southern England, but never made it to the north.

While I was initially attracted to the style of play that Newcastle played under Keegan, I have come to enjoy football in general and I enjoy a good tactical game. Although, I admit that I much prefer watching and following the European game versus MLS in the U.S. I am hoping that the MLS and the sport in general continues to gain in popularity in the U.S. I really think that eventually the U.S. will become a world power, as we have more and more young kids playing the game. Many people don't know that soccer is the largest youth sport by numbers of participants in the U.S. Now only if people would quit asking if I am a referee when I wear my Newcastle jersey! Dumb people!

I live in and was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. The suburb of Chesterfield to be exact. What is surprising to me is that I never played or followed football, as St. Louis is a hotbead of youth football in America and has some of the best college programs in the area. St. Louis University has won more NCAA soccer championships than any program in America. I really came to the game in the 1990's and especially got into the World Cup when it was here. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to go to Chicago to watch that World Cup in 1994. My brother and a friend went and I couldn't go. In the years that followed I would watch the Champions League on ESPN and started watching the Premiership when it was on. I then even started playing the game. I would guess that not many people pick up playing a sport when they are already in their mid to late twenties! I have been a competitive athlete playing other sports such as ice hockey, golf, tennis, and most notably running and cycling, which allowed me to be in good enough shape and have athletic skill to pick up football. My brother and I organized a team in a recreational league, in which we called ourselves Vlassis Park Rangers, named for the park that we lived by and practiced and played in. I certainly was not the most talented player, as we had a number of former college players and my brother, who currently coaches the college game. I earned my status on the team as being the gaffer! Well, I was more the player/manager. Just the guy who is willing to do the organizing! While I worked hard to improve my ball skills, I pretty much relied on my speed, agility, endurance, and work ethic. Not knowing what position I should play, this led me to try being a striker, but that wasn't to be, as I was not a scorer. Therefore I ended up playing either as a left winger or left back. The fact that I could run all day and could stay with my man made it a natural fit for me. That and the fact that I am about equal with both my left and right foot. There are not too many left footed players around!

My favorite Newcastle players since I became a fan have been Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, and Shay Given. Unfortunately I think that sometimes Shay Given is underrated. I believe that he is the best keeper in the Premiership and certainly in the top ten in the world. As for the team today, I am pretty excited about many of the players on the team. I really enjoy watching Emre play. He has great skill on the ball and never quits working. I also like Scott Parker and his determination, and I think that Ramage, Taylor, and N'Zogbia will turn into great players. Add Michael Owen to this group and I think we have a great core group of players for the next 4 or 5 years. If we can add the right players to this core group and get a good coach, I think there is every possibility that our trophy drought will end. Even if we don't win anything, I will always love watching Newcastle play.