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Opening weekend of the new Premiership season and we had tickets for Newcastle’s first home match. It would be a tough one – they were up against Tottenham Hotspur and Harry Kane! Callum was very excited!
We walked along to Hebburn Metro and caught this to Newcastle Central Station. From here we wandered around the city for a bit seeing the Castle Tower and Gate House and St Nicholas’ Cathedral before walking out along the High Level Bridge for a great view of the Tyne Bridge.
Time then to head to St James Park and grab a bite to eat before kick-off.
We had opted for seats not in the main corridor this time, but we were starting to regret it as soon as we sat down. The leg room was lacking. My knees would have dug into the back of whoever was sat in front of me (even if they had been leaning forward) and even Jon was struggling – which he rarely does. Callum was fine. I sat on the aisle so I did my best NOT to trip everyone up going up the stairs!
The first half was end to end stuff with Spurs having a couple of chances. It all went a little wrong just after the second half kicked-off when Jonjo Shelvey lost his head, behaved stupidly and trod on the oppositions foot. Right under the ref’s nose! Alli wasn’t entirely blameless as it was Newcastle’s ball and he threw the ball away from the player. But absolutely no excuses for standing on another players leg.
After that it was pretty much one way traffic with Tottenham scoring twice. Harry Kane should have added two more goals but one rebounded off the post and the other was a cracking point-blank save from the Newcastle goalie. One glimmer of hope with a Newcastle breakaway but the shot went wide. Final score 2-0.
After the match we spent the afternoon and evening catching up with Michael, Laura and kids … Michael gave Callum a Hebburn Town FC shirt. Very similar to Tornadoes colours – although yellow instead of amber. He was really pleased with it and wore it with pride to football training when he got back.
Jon realised that the football club logo features HMS Kelly – a K-Class destroyer that saw service during WW2. She was built by Hawthorn Leslie & Co at Hebburn and HMS Kelly was commanded by Lord Louis Mountbatten. She was lost in action in 1941 during the Battle of Crete, with the loss of half her crew.
There is a memorial in Hebburn Cemetery commemorating the ship and those killed whilst serving on board and the nine officers and 121 crew killed when HMS Kelly sank. The memorial was erected by the officers and men of the ship along with the workmen of Hebburn Shipyard.
Thanks Mick!
