My very first season as a season ticket holder for Newcastle was in 2001-2002. Optimism wasn't very high as Bobby Robson had led us to a disappointing bottom half finish the year before but new players such as Bellamy and Robert took to the St James Park pitch like a duck to water.
The best game I remember from that season was when we played Charlton near the end of the season. This was my late grandad's final ever game before he passed away and before the game he said "we should put a bet on son what do you think?" So for some reason I fancied Gary Speed first scorer and 3-0 to Newcastle.
About 20 minutes had gone when sure enough Speedo kept like a salmon and buried a header past the hapless Dean Kiely in the Charlton goal. Then a minute after half time Lua Lua doubled the lead as he netted in front of the gallowgate for 2-0.
It was 2-0 for what seemed like an eternity the atmosphere was great as news got through that Leeds and Chelsea were losing as we closed in on 4th place and champions league football. In the last minute, Alan Shearer latched onto a through ball and smashed the ball into the back of the net - it was his 200th premier league goal and it meant that we won our bet £5 on at 66-1, £335!!
It was just a perfect end to a perfect day one which I and my grandad will probably never forget!
Paul Dixon
Stakeford
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 October 9, 2013
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