My husband Andy and I went to Newcastle for New Year’s for the second time. We were hoping it would be a little different from last year, when the doom and gloom of Souness seemed to be all around the city. It was much different. The whole city seemed to have a better atmosphere.

The first few days we did a standard walk around the city, down by the Quayside, to the club shop, the Back Page, lunch at Shearer’s etc. On New Year’s Eve, we met up with Mark Franchi and his wife Kate, and her daughter Casey and her boyfriend Alex. New Year’s in Newcastle is something for an American to behold. It’s a people watcher’s paradise. It’s almost like Halloween. Some people are in costumes, some are dressed to the hilt and most women are barely wearing anything. I didn’t witness it myself, but I understand there was a woman walking down the street wearing nothing but a bikini and heels. Let me point out that this was not a warm night. I did witness several playboy bunnies down by the Quayside. It’s amazing to me how these women walk around, obviously freezing to death, but with no coat. I felt very overdressed.

We spent some time at a few pubs and ran into some very interesting people. One young woman, who had a few too many of something, was not afraid to tell everybody that her boyfriend was a drug dealer and she was wondering if that would hurt his chances of coming to America. Hmmm, what do you think?

Finally it was match day. We met Mark and his gang at the Fluid Bar to have a few beers and we watched the Liverpool/Bolton match. We went to St. James around 3:00. Mark had arranged for us to have a behind the scenes tour with an NUFC PR rep. We went through the press room and down the player’s tunnel onto the pitch. Much to our surprise, Peter Beardsley was standing there. We were able to meet him and have pictures taken with him. It was amazing. I hope to someday meet Alan Shearer, but until I do, that was the highlight of my life. Phillipe Albert was there as the half time hero, so we got to meet him also. Then all of a sudden the players started coming into sight. First was Steven Taylor. That was exciting for me because I had seen him play here in 2003 at the Dallas Cup, and I always hoped he would get into the first team. Then we met Shay, Parker, Dyer, Nobby and the young man who turned out to be the hero of the day, David Edgar. We just missed Milner and Sib as they scurried by when we were with other players. It was fantastic. It was a dream come true.

The match itself, as you know, was outstanding. We had pretty good seats in the Milburn Stand. The atmosphere was amazing. There really is nothing like it. We were twirling our scarves with all of the Geordie faithful. I was excited about how we started the game and knew when Milner had the ball at his feet that he would score. He was definitely due, and what a beauty it was. The sound was incredible when the ball hit the back of the net. Even after Scholes scored the equalizer, the crowd was still singing and supporting the team. Unfortunately, I got stuck in a long queue at halftime and he had already scored his second goal before I got to my seat. However, the supporters never seemed to give up. I think everyone was pretty amazed when Edgar’s shot went in. When I saw Roeder’s face on the replays later, it was priceless. The place went crazy when it happened. I was hoping we would nick it at the end, but grateful that we didn’t let it slip away like we so often do. The Toon Army was in full voice cheering the team off the field after a very creditable performance.

So, I went home very happy, after having met Peter Beardsley, half the team, and seeing a very good match. It doesn’t get much better.

Many thanks to Mark Franchi.

Mark works for Mid Atlantic Tours / SoccerTours.net, a company that specializes in sending individuals and groups to see their favourite sports teams across the globe. For more information, visit their corporate website.