R's on The Road.......... To Newcastle United.

On Wednesday night the Superhoops look to continue their impressive run of form when they travel to the North-East for their most northern fixture on the season against another team in good form, Newcastle United.



The Stadium.

Current Capacity – 52,000

Newcastle United were born in 1892 after two rival teams, Newcastle West End and Newcastle East End, merged after Newcastle West End were hit with financial difficulties. When the club merged several names were suggested like Newcastle City and Newcastle Rangers but it was decided that the name Newcastle United would be taken on and they would play at Newcastle West End’s old ground, St. James Park.
Following the Bradford fire in 1985 the club decided to give the ground some much needed renovation but progress was extremely slow due to financial difficulties. After Sir John Hall’s takeover in 1992 progress was finally made and the stadium was redeveloped with the finishing touches applied in 2000. Once completed the ground held the second highest attendance in the country behind Old Trafford. Now St. James Park is the largest ground outside the top flight of English football.
The away fans will be housed on the far side of the Sir John Hall Stand. I must warn you that 14 flights of stairs must be climbed before reaching the away section, so do give yourself plenty of time before kick off so you take your seat in plenty of time.



The History between the teams.

At Newcastle (19 games)

Newcastle 10
QPR 7
Draw 2

This is the first fixture between the clubs since 6th April 1996 when Newcastle beat QPR 2-1 at St. James Park 2-1. In fact 5 of the last 7 fixtures between the clubs have ended in a 2-1 score line to either side.
The last QPR away win in the North-East was when the clubs first met in the second season of the Premier League in 1993; once again the score line was 2-1. Les Ferdinand was one of the scorers for Rangers before, a few years later, joining Newcastle for £6 million.



How to get there.

By Car:- The all important post code that sat nav users need is NE1 4ST.
Go up the M1 and come off at junction 32 where you join the M18. Leave at junction 2 of the M18 where you will then join up with the A1 which will lead you up to Newcastle. Leave at the A184 junction, which is shortly after the Angel of the North. It is advised to park up at the Gateshead metro station here and catch the metro into Newcastle. If you choose to continue on into the City centre then then roads you need to follow are the A6082, A189, A6082 and back onto the A189 and this will lead you on into where the ground is.

By Train:- Newcastle Central is half a mile away from the ground and will take you about 10 minutes to walk there. I have been unable to attain the directions from the station to the ground but I am certain that it is easy to find from there.


Pubs 'n' Grub.

With the ground slap bang in the middle of the City Centre there is a large amount of food and drink outlets you can choose from so I’m sure you will find plenty to your liking.
The pubs which have been recommended for our visit are A Head of Steam, The Lounge and O’Neills. If you choose to not wear colours then the Wetherspoons called The Union Rooms.
Alcohol is served in the ground and all food served comes in the Newcastle United brand. I have no prices to give you rough estimates of costing I’m afraid.