This season myself and my teenage son have had no luck in Newcastle United ballot for home games so far, whilst then when the rest of the tickets go on sale via an online queue, logging on to the walking man I have found myself with no chance behind ten thousand or more others, often many more, trying to get tickets.
I have though got tickets for me and the daft lad for a fortnight’s time at Craven Cottage.
In the section adjacent to the official away following in the Putney end. Exactly the same as last season.
How much I hear you ask?
Well, incredibly the same price as last year, £71 adult and £30 for a junior. I have a friend who is a Fulham season ticket holder, so he was on the case to make sure me and my lad got tickets.
Having said that, I am registered with Fulham FC to buy tickets, but it looks like I was right to get Dave to grab us tickets, as he had access 24 hours before the general public.
Out of curiosity, I went on the Fulham website and there are now no tickets available in the Putney end for our game. A result for us then getting tickets. The graphics showing the solid sold out colour. There are still some tickets available elsewhere in the ground for £100 and upwards.
This Saturday, a week before we go to Craven Cottage, Fulham are home to West Ham, so I thought I might have a look to see if this London derby had sold out.
With only days to go until that Fulham match against the Hammers, you can still buy tickets all around the ground.
The Putney end for home/neutral supporters next to the official (West Ham) away fans, still with availability, this being the part of the ground that fans like me unable to get official tickets in the away end, will seize as an opportunity to get into a ground next to our ‘official’ supporters.
So considering these two different ticket situations for matches at Craven Cottage a week apart, why do certain commentators in the media refuse to accept that Newcastle United are a massive club?
A club that in my opinion, under correct stewardship, will smash the self-appointed elite.
A London derby (OK not the biggest London game but not exactly a huge distance to be travelled by the Irons) nowhere near sold out only days beforehand.
I can only dream of getting a Newcastle United ticket for an away game against a northern club, never mind a derby game.
Which brings me to the point, that having not won a domestic trophy in my lifetime I am now having difficulties getting tickets for Newcastle United games and am being forced into the home end at away games, for matches at clubs that struggle to sell out.
I believe it is time for Newcastle United to win silverware, announce an iconic new stadium and storm that top four.
When we win a trophy, everything will follow.
My son disagrees and says we need regular Champions League football first. I am not asking for much I know but hey! In the words of Bob Vylan “Dream big kid.”
A few years back, my mate, who was my first real friend as a young kid on the Grange Estate, passed away.
We went to the football together with my older brothers, starting in the Seventies.
He was a passionate Newcastle United fan home and away who never got to see Newcastle United lift silverware in his lifetime.
Just maybe, myself and my son might just possibly get to see us win something in the future, if we do, I know who I will be thinking of.
