Opinion
An ideal time in the heart of the festive season to get a snapshot of views from Newcastle United fans on how they think things are going.
So we sent out various questions to a small number of regular/irregular contributors to The Mag.
Asking these Newcastle United fans some of the important questions of the day.
As well as some with a seasonal twist.
Here we have The Armchair Fan giving his answers:
**In your lifetime, the five people associated with Newcastle United (anybody, on or of the pitch, inside or outside the club) who you would like to say thank you to and why?**
Kevin Keegan, I started following football in the mid-nineties so my time supporting NUFC would look very different indeed without this man.
Chris Hughton, stayed with us during perhaps our most difficult time and managed to achieve promotion back to the Premier League with something to spare. He also gave us some great results once back up (5-1 v Sunderland springs to mind) and took his undeserved sacking with nothing but dignity.
Rafa Benitez, who also gave us hope through some particularly bleak days. I dread to think of how the 16/17 season would have panned out without him.
‘Wor Flags’ who work tirelessly to boost the atmosphere and provide some stunning displays.
Anyone connected with the foodbank who do an amazing job helping some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Fantastic work and so much appreciated.
**Obviously it takes a ‘little’ bit of imagination but if there was a scenario where on the last day of a Premier League season… a Sunderland victory (against whoever) would mean Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League instead of Europa League BUT also meant the Mackems won the Premier League. What would you want to happen?**
Thankfully the chances of this happening in my lifetime are very remote!
Newcastle United to qualify for the Champions League. Have to support your own team first regardless of anything else.
**What would be a perfect Newcastle United Christmas present to unwrap?**
Three points against Villa on boxing day would do very nicely.
**In 2024, what have been your three best Newcastle United moments?**
Winning our first derby since 2011.
The comeback win against West Ham when we looked dead and buried at 1-3 but scored three late goals to win it.
Hammering Spurs 4-0. We just took them apart and not for the first time at [St James’ Park](https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/12/my-first-time-walking-into-the-floodlit-st-james-park-left-a-huge-impression-i-could-hardly-breathe-newcastle-united-fan-northern-ireland/).
**In 2024 what have been your three worst Newcastle United moments?**
Missing out on Europe due to a technicality when Man United won the FA Cup.
Losing in injury time at home to [Manchester City](https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/12/manchester-united-and-manchester-city-this-now-shows-financial-chasm-to-newcastle-united/) in a match we could have won. We had them on the ropes at 2-1 but too many injuries meant we had no backup from the bench and the lads understandably ran out of steam.
Going out of the FA Cup in the quarter-final. We never got going or even looked like scoring.
**The 2025/26 season will be the tenth since Newcastle United last had a Premier League derby match. Have you any seasonal black and white goodwill for our Mackem friends finally making it back to the top tier, from what looks the most appalling quality second tier for many years. Or even just because the amusing FA Cup stroll on Wearside last season whetted your appetite for the return of the derbies?**
I might get shot down for this but I love the derby games.
The build-up is intense and there’s nothing quite like derby day (especially when we win). Bring them on I say!
**If you could invite three Newcastle United connected people, past or present, around to yours for a social gathering at Christmas, who would you invite and why? Thinking of fans (famous or not), past (not present) players, managers, owners, whoever.**
Ant & Dec (I’m assuming they count as one person)
Kevin Keegan
Sir Bobby Robson
There would be a lot of humour in this room and plenty of anecdotes plus Ant & Dec could provide free entertainment. I’d have a top night!
**A knock on your door on Christmas Day, your place beautifully Xmas decorated, roaring fire, table laden with more food and drink than anybody could eat and drink. You open the door and freezing cold, snow bleaching down, which three cold and starving Newcastle United connected characters (past or present) would you still turn away?**
Mike Ashley, Dennis Wise and any one of their hangers on.
**If you were granted three New Year’s wishes (apart from the obvious of winning something!) to come true in 2025?**
Qualifying for the champions league.
Getting to Wembley in one of the cup.
Signing a goal scorer to take the burden of Isak.
**Your New Year’s resolution that is Newcastle United related…?**
Raise more money for the foodbank, I’ve got a few ideas in the pipeline for how I can support such a wonderful organisation.
**What are your worst ever past Newcastle United Christmas time moments / memories. Could be any kind of memories – matches, presents, whatever?**
I was in the away end at Wigan on Boxing Day 2008 which was fairly dreadful. The absolute worst though was losing the derby on 21st Dec 2014. The day promised so much and delivered very little. Ruined Christmas, that one.
Merry Christmas everyone.