We've saw the men's Premier League get underway, and soon we will see Becky Langley's Newcastle United Women in the Barclays Championship, with an interesting season day opener against London City Lionesses on Sunday 8th September, with the home side under new ownership and with a huge cue in capturing Sweden captain, Kosovare Assllani. However our club of course have only gone and bagged England's 69 cap international in Demi Stokes - that goes to show you that tier 2 in women's football is growing.
Double promotion for the Lasses has saw the Toon go from tier 4, in to tier 2 - with excitement that a triple promotion could be on the cards. There are some big local fixtures this season and mouthwatering ties in the League Cup with three WSL sides and 'little us' in one group - the Lady Magpies would put out a statement if they were to beat a much fancied Everton, Man United or Liverpool. Even the proposition of having a WSL side at home will definitely wet the appetite for the casual fan.
I made the decision when Andy Innis was in charge of the lasses, that NUFC Women need pushing, it was abandoned by Mike Ashley, it was abandoned by local media outlets, and largely still is. Originally vlogs went on to our sister channel NFTV Extra, and I switched it to our main channel a couple of years back - to really push it, by introducing new shows and detailed videos, even bringing in new people for specific roles. I've saw 150 people maximum most weeks at Druid Park, to 28,000 at St. James' Park. I'm honestly so happy to see the girls go full-time and see the club's in-house media team push them hard the past two seasons. Their growth is exceptional, and let's not forget the importance of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi being allies, Su Cummings pushing on Becky Langley, and of course Langley herself learning on the role and growing massively as an individual.
I must stress the importance of a different feeling with the men vs women. I attended 89 games last season for both. I love both equally, they represent our badge, our people, where we're from, the whole nine yards. The women's community feels more of a family, where as the men, I have saw plenty negativity down the years amongst our own fanbase. Men's football is passionate, stakes are higher, everything lies on the performance and the result. Women's football has more empathy, when a rare poor result occurs or even if a player is released, you feel for them because you have a personal connection with that individual. There's a feeling of happiness for them when they get a win or achieve personal goals, you know the girls more personally than the men, so you build relationships, trust, allegiances - and you're bloody worried in case you criticise anyone because a parent can be sat right by you - it's all positive, which I love!
I urge you to join the 'Newcastle United Women's Fan Group' on Facebook - fans help one another, there's a feel good community which matches up with being at games. As the late great Sir Bobby Robson would famously say 'a sense of belonging' feel within the group and at games. I've met so many people at games, I'm sure you have, or if you've never been, trust me - you will, and it will turn in to friendship. I'm flying to my first ever women's game on the opening day, some are making the long trip down by coach, some are driving and some are jumping on the train. Quite incredible, considering the distance, the price and the time people will be getting home on Sunday night, with work in the morning and school runs - WOW man! D.E.D.I.C.A.T.I.O.N.
A huge shoutout to Angela Brady and Michael 'Causy' Cauwood for organising fans to get down to London, I do it over 10 times a season, it's a stressful city (I'm being very kind here) to be in - they get so many messages and questions, all in the benefit of our team having support on away days. Honestly, I couldn't do that, too much stress. Please just have a little word with them when you see them and say thank you. They're a breath of fresh air to our fanbase. Just don't ask Michael about buses, poor buggar needs a conductor to help him!
I go back to that community feel, everyone plays their part. If it's us at Newcastle Fans TV promoting them, if it's fans providing travel, if it's Wor Flags, if it's the vocal fans in the crowd (oi oi Bernie lass), to party organisers - I mean howay I can keep going on about positivity here. But most importantly your ordinary fan is most important. They are more important than anyone - that fan turning up home or away, is what Newcastle United Women need and want. That continued dedicated support shows our Lasses you love them, trust me they LOVE us back - you only have to look at how shocked Manchester United's international stars were last season at our support. They were in owe of that. Our squad and management speak of our fan base like it's a 12th woman on the team.
Lastly, if you're at the first game - spare a thought for Colin Lock please, just for a moment. He would do anything to be in your privileged position. WE LOVE YOU MATE!
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