**It has probably not escaped your attention that Going Home (The Theme from Local Hero) is no longer being played throughout St James' Park immediately preceding kick-off.**
For as long as I can remember, Mark Knopfler's tune has been used as the Newcastle United players have come out of the St James' Park tunnel, almost always perfectly timed, so we hear that recognisable thump of drums that closes out the piece right before the referee blows the first whistle.
Recently, however, Local Hero has been moved up the playlist order and Blaydon Races, which is another fixture of the pre-game playlist, has been shifted to be the song heard when players exit the tunnel.
It just doesn't feel right, and fans have certainly not taken too kindly to the change.
> [](https://twitter.com/worflags/status/1985809953081475297)
The change has come at the behest of players and coaches
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However, Wor Flags, when asking fans to remember their black and white scarves for tonight's game against Athletic Bilbao, have revealed why the club has made this change in their post on X.
> Many have noticed a change in the order of songs pre-match at St James’ Park in the last couple of weeks. The club have told us the decision to swap Local Hero with the Blaydon Races before kick-off was done primarily at the request of the players and coaching staff, who want to hear the fans singing right at kick-off, which is not possible with Local Hero but is with The Blaydon Races! So whilst honouring the tradition of those two songs, the club have swapped them round so that Local Hero plays before the team emerge and The Blaydon Races before kick-off. It’s up to us to live up to that request and belt out the Blaydon Races and also carry it into the game.
>
> Massive game tomorrow night. Bring your scarf, get it twirling, get behind the lads. Howay Newcastle!
What are your thoughts on the playlist change?
* It gets the crowd singing. I'm all for it.
New stadium? Sure. Rename St James' Park? If it makes sense. Change the running order of the songs? You're going too far now!
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While we understand the reason behind this, and why the players may want it, for us, you just can't beat that roar that goes up around the stadium when Local Hero comes to an end.
Baiting fans into a sing-along to generate atmosphere just seems antithetical to what Newcastle United are about. St James' Park is famed for its atmosphere, and the Geordie fanbase is notorious for its passion and noise. We've never needed our hands held to create noise before.
We may not be singing when the boys come out of the tunnel, but do they not get a loud cheer and applause?
I know I'm usually the one bitching at those fans who oppose change, but this one just seems unnecessary, and it just feels tinpot.