Joe Buck reacts as Eddie Howe previews Newcastle United v Athletic Club
Newcastle United have made a potentially divisive change at St James’ Park following a request from players and coaching staff.
Newcastle United have dropped the iconic ‘Local Hero’ as its walkout song on matchdays at St James’ Park.
It comes after a request made by the players and coaching staff with the intention of getting supporters in the stadium more involved ahead of the game.
Mark Knopfler’s ‘Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero,’ was released in 1983 but has welcomed Newcastle United players onto the pitch at St James’ Park since the early 90s.
While the song will continue to be played at St James’ Park on matchdays, it will now play before the team emerge onto the pitch. Recent matches at St James’ Park have featured a different running order of songs, and the obligatory inclusion of the Champions League and Premier League themes has distorted the traditional song build-up on a matchday over the past few seasons.
Instead of ‘Local Hero’, the plan is for Newcastle players to walk onto the pitch to the sound of The Blaydon Races. The popular Tyneside anthem is regularly chanted in the stands and has been a staple of the matchday playlist at St James’ Park for years.
Newcastle return to St James’ Park in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they host Athletic Club (8pm kick-off). Supporters are being encouraged to bring their scarves with supporters group Wor Flags set to unveil another display for the match.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Wor Flags statement confirms NUFC’s St James’ Park playlist change
Ahead of Wednesday’s match, a statement from Wor Flags read: "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!"
NUFC looking for a reaction
Newcastle have won each of their last four matches at St James’ Park in all competitions but will be looking for a response to Sunday’s disappointing 3-1 away defeat at West Ham United in the Premier League.
Looking ahead to the game, Magpies head coach Eddie Howe said: “We are back at home. We love playing here, as we say many times.
“But Athletic Club will provide stiff opposition, very good defensive team, in terms of their defensive numbers are very, very strong off the ball. I think they've delivered this year some really strong performances in particular.
“So I think from that side, our attacking game is going to have to be at its very best. And of course, Champions League nights here are always special.”
Continue Reading