A visit to St James Park when he was thirteen, proved to be a major turning point in Richard's life. Soon, Newcastle took over as the promotion ride to the First Division, led by the trio of Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, soon gave way to the trials and tribulations that are so familiar to football supporters across the world.
Over the years that followed:
Heroes arrived then departed (Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne, Andy Cole).
Players failed to live up to expectations (Mirandinha, Beasant, Stimson...)
Cup upsets bewildered (Brighton, Bradford, Bournemouth...).
Away grounds were visited ( Arsenal, Rangers, Sunderland, Carlisle, Stoke...).
Scrapes with rival supporters were escaped from (Heart of Midlothian, Millwall, Chelsea...)
And friends were made (Tottenham, West Ham, Portsmouth...).
The highs, the lows, the early morning / late night bus and train trips are chronicled over the years from 1984 to 2000.
Written from the viewpoint of a supporter it is as much about Newcastle as it is about the trials and tribulations of growing up as a football supporter both home and away. Documenting his passage through teenage years to eventual marriage to a Middlesbrough fan and fatherhood...
Over the years that followed:
Heroes arrived then departed (Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne, Andy Cole).
Players failed to live up to expectations (Mirandinha, Beasant, Stimson...)
Cup upsets bewildered (Brighton, Bradford, Bournemouth...).
Away grounds were visited ( Arsenal, Rangers, Sunderland, Carlisle, Stoke...).
Scrapes with rival supporters were escaped from (Heart of Midlothian, Millwall, Chelsea...)
And friends were made (Tottenham, West Ham, Portsmouth...).
The highs, the lows, the early morning / late night bus and train trips are chronicled over the years from 1984 to 2000.
Written from the viewpoint of a supporter it is as much about Newcastle as it is about the trials and tribulations of growing up as a football supporter both home and away. Documenting his passage through teenage years to eventual marriage to a Middlesbrough fan and fatherhood...
