I am 65 now and retired but always remember my very first match at St James' in April 1960 as a 13 year old versus Blackpool, a 1-1 draw. I paid one shilling (5p) to get in at the Leazes End. I went ot see Stanley Matthews but according to the regular supporters beside me he would not turn out as he did not like playing against Newcastle's rough full backs at the time and this was proved this day to be the case, a 'no show' by him.
In the marvelous promotion season of 1984 with Keegan playing alongside Beardsley and Waddle, I had been to every home game but could not get a ticket, try as I might, for the very last home match against Brighton. (I had travelled to Huddersfield to see them clinch promotion in the previous match). My brother in law, a police sargeant, who would be working at that Brighton match came up with the solution if I was willing to try it.
And that's how I found myself with him, in a queue for very tall and large policement going through the 'Police gate' which was then located in the corner of the 'popular side' and the Gallowgate end'. I was only 5'6" tall, NOT IN UNIFORM, and I got some strange looks from the ppolice officers on the security gate and also in the long queue of police waiting to go in, but I got in and then made my way to a location behind the Gallowgate goal to watch a great match and witnessed one of Peter Beardsley's best goals, a superb chip over a massive goalkeeper - Joe Corrigan, in a 3-1 win.
Eddie Hogan
Newcastle United Foundation have a heritage project for fans of all ages called Toon Times.
Toon Times will culminate with a major Newcastle United exhibition at the Discovery Museum, Newcastle, although in the lead up to this event Toon Times wishes to reach out to all Newcastle United fans across the North East and further afield to get involved and share their memories, experiences, photos and memorabilia what people have collected over the years.
We are supporting the project by helping to collect NUFC memories online - fans can share their memories on the Replay Football website, simply select the Toon Times tag when submitting yours.
For more info contact the Toon Times Heritage Project Coordinator, Newcastle United Foundation, gavin.ferry@nufc.co.uk
Memory added on August 26, 2013
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