Brighton fans looking forward to this Newcastle United match on Saturday.
Plus of course for many of those travelling, the opportunity to make a weekend of it in our great city.
The Seagulls one of the real form teams in the Premier League, having won six and lost only one of their last eight league matches.
Four Premier League matches between Newcastle United and Brighton have been played at St James’ Park since Eddie Howe took over. Last season Brighton won 1-0 at SJP but prior to that, United had won 2-1 and 4-1 plus a 1-1 draw.
Brighton fans arrive on Tyneside with their team currently sixth in the Premier League and in a strong position to get European football next season.
Meanwhile Newcastle United hoping to bounce back to winning ways and that would close the gap to five points behind Brighton.
Brighton fans commenting ahead of this Newcastle United match via their North Stand Chat forum:
‘After ticking off every Premier League ground, except the Tyne and Wear clubs, I’m really looking forward to this one.
Every year it has fell on the wrong day for me or in the past I’ve brought a ticket then it got moved, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long.
Any recommendations for good pubs and places to get a proper good bite to eat?
I’ve been training like Rocky for steps.’
‘Loads of places, all around. Friendly bunch, welcoming generally. Tomahawk used to be great for a steak’
‘Nearly all the pubs are great, and welcoming. The chippy is pretty good as well. You’d be hard pushed not to have a good time. Apart from the need for binoculars it’s one of the best away days. On holiday this year, so missing it.’
‘If you like craft beer then Firebrick Taproom, Wobbly Duck and the Mean Eyed Cat’
‘I just hope the steps down we will be singing like we were after last year’s cup match. “Oooooo Danny welbeck…”
‘(at 8am Thursday morning) We have sold 1663 tickets for this Newcastle match so far which i think is a pretty good effort all things considered.’
‘1600+ for a game when there is restricted travel is a great effort.’
‘First time ever in a corporate box for this one, very much looking forward to it.’
‘Was planning not to go but have reluctantly reversed that decison. On the 9:03 from Kings x.
Better be worth it. That said, have been there frequently and apart from the 4-1 we always seem to do well.’
‘Going to bad fan this and give it miss been last 3 seasons, no supporters coach going (if they were running one would of gone).’
‘Depends on a lot of fans not wanting to travel half the day on a Bank Holiday weekend just to watch a match we probably won’t win from a vantage point better suited to seagulls that sit on the roof of the Amex. Especially given away to Liverpool twice, Sunderland, and Manchester 3 times this season with Burnley and Leeds still to go. It’s a lot.’
‘Not sure what your point is. Yes, we do play a number of games in the north of England. I’m not planning to go m’self, partly because of the recent steep rise in petrol prices as much as anything.’
‘I thought my point was pretty clear.
Simply that we have had 3 trips to Manchester, 2 up to Liverpool and Sunderland too this season. All very long away fixtures.
It’s near the end of the season, Newcastle is rubbish viewing unless you don’t mind vertigo and it’s another very expensive away trip.
Petrol prices and bank holiday weekend trains ( with the usual engineering holiday issues) are added disincentives.
For me specifically on that weekend because of engineering, it’s a 7-8 hour journey with bus replacements and 5 changes. Don’t care if we are in Champions league places – No thanks.’
‘There are reasons why tickets haven’t immediately sold out. They almost never do for matches in the north.’
‘Travel and accommodation all sorted now, looking forward to it.’
‘Have we ever sold 3000 for Newcastle ? The far end of the away bit is usually screened off and full of home fans’
‘In 1979.’
‘I normally go to Newcastle for the weekend, but the train chaos continues through bank holiday Monday.’
‘Going to give this a miss. Spent a great weekend in Newcastle for the Sunderland game.’
‘Poor trains, only seagull travel coaches (no blues away or supporters club) and bloody miles away. Plus been there loads in last decade.
Sadly its not going to tempt loads.’
‘I concur with this, although when you were talking about “miles away” i was not sure if you were meaning the travel to the game or the view of the pitch!’