I thought Brighton came as a timely reminder last weekend for Newcastle United fans.
It did for me anyway.
In the run up to that Brighton game, it was shocking how many Newcastle United season ticket holders were trying to flog their season ticket for that match via the club’s online reselling system.
For any match at St James’ Park you will have a certain number of fans who can’t make it, whether due to illness or just life getting in the way of things for various reasons.
Last weekend though it was ridiculous, on top of the usual number trying to sell their ticket because they couldn’t make it, we saw well over a thousand other Newcastle United season tickets holders also trying to sell, clearly because they just couldn’t be bothered to go due to recent results and nothing to really play for. On the morning of the match, I saw there were over 500 still trying to sell only hours before the game, so I guess many of them failed to do so.
Who knows whether they all went to the match in the end if they couldn’t sell, I guess most ended up going if they couldn’t get the cash, probably a small number didn’t.
What I do know is that I went to the Brighton match and absolutely loved it.
We are members and had bought some of the seats put up for sale by season ticket holders, in the midweek before the game. There was nowhere I would rather have been.
It is naturally even better going to a match when there is something extra at stake, qualifying for the Champions League, or even winning a cup final…
This Brighton match though on a sunny Tyneside with a 3pm Saturday kick-off at St James’ Park, what is not to love?
I think these days, with football fans in general and many Newcastle United fans in particular this season, it feels like they no longer just enjoy individual matches simply for what they are as a stand alone thing. I know it has been a drop off from last season in the Premier League for NUFC but that doesn’t make matches now meaningless.
Going to the match is for me a chance to lose myself a bit, to forget about all the other stuff in your life for a couple of hours. Shout and sing, get rid of a bit of stress. Also of course meeting your mates before and after the match, chucking the pints down, talking nonsense.
Newcastle United did still actually have something to play for last weekend. The chance to bounce back to winning form, get some confidence and momentum, still a small chance of qualifying for Europe. Brighton even more so, as they were sixth in the table and looking to threaten higher, the Seagulls the Premier League form team.
What followed was a captivating game of football, both teams going for the win, Newcastle getting that win and scoring three very good goals. Could have been more.
It was a brilliant day all round and the SJP match was the centre piece.
I think all Newcastle United fans should be feeling this. Those who were inside St James’ Park for this Brighton game and those who weren’t there and should have been wishing they were.
If we are going to turn into a fanbase who treat going to the match as a chore unless NUFC are winning stuff, or at least competing for whatever, then it is a slippery slope.
If you have a ticket, especially a season ticket, then really appreciate it. If you don’t, maybe you should be making way for somebody who does.