A very sad Newcastle United story but one that I think needs to be told | OneFootball

I thought I’d share a story with you all, it’s about Newcastle United of course, but it doesn’t have a happy ending I’m afraid.

Back in the 1990s I joined a company in Lichfield and like most blokes from the North East, all I was interested in was football.

My boss who I have remained good mates with, was a Villa fan like a lot round that area, but he did say there were a couple of Newcastle United fans who worked in the factory. A couple of brothers.

It wasn’t long before I crossed paths with them and for the next ten years we became great mates, going to games together and spending hours going over results and why we should have won.

At the turn of the century I decided that I’d had enough working and wanted to extend my holidays, so I left that company and became a teacher.

I kept in touch with one of the brothers more than the other as I’d go round to his house and watch the game as he had Sky. The other brother would turn up at times but always left before the end if we were losing, as his brother would go mental and I mean mental. We are talking foot through the TV and all sorts. He’d put Golden Gordon to shame.

As I entered my second childhood as my brother put it (teaching), I sort of lost touch with Andy, but I’d go and see him around Xmas etc.

I remember this one Xmas in particular, as I’d had to go to my wife’s family for Boxing Day. We were playing Bolton and I think we lost 4-3. A few months later I went to see my mate, to be told the awful news that his wife had died.

To make matters worse, he’d gone in a mood after the game and hardly spoke. His wife told him she had a headache, went to bed and never woke up.

Andy couldn’t come to terms with the fact he’d spent his time sulking over a bunch of blokes kicking a ball around, rather than make the most of what turned out to be the last few hours with his wife.

Fast forward to the present day and I went to see Andy last week, after another long absence. He’s doing ok but he doesn’t follow the lads like he used to. I don’t think he’s forgiven himself.

His brother unfortunately died in Covid, so he’s had a pretty tough time.

As I was leaving, he made the comment that he’d probably never get the chance to go to a home game again because of the cost etc etc. Maybe that’s something I can sort out one day.

Sorry it’s a sad story related to Newcastle United and there isn’t much to add in the way of some witty remark or advice on how to behave when we lose at home etc. We all take defeat differently.