The day didn't start too well journeywise. The train was delayed and I only just got on the Newcastle train from Leeds with a minute to spare. When that happened I knew that it was doing to be my day. The train was packed when we got to Durham - stupidly packed... So packed they thought it would be wise to additionally stop at Chester Le Street to see if they could fit any more passengers on. I was not amused.
I finally got to Newcastle station and I had several options. I could take the Metro, which nobody seemed to be doing, so I thought I would give that a miss. I could get a taxi, which would have set me back a few bob. Or I could walk and try and find it, which was the option I chose... obviously. The stadium was incredibly easy to find, well signposted, and I was impressed when I saw it. The away end was hard to find as it was under cover and I didn't think I was allowed that way!
Once in the stadium I had the mammoth task of climbing what seemed to be never-ending flights of stairs, but to my disbelief when I finally got to the top there were more steps to climb until I got to my seat. We were amazingly high up; it was like watching someone play a game of Subbuteo whilst you were stood on a ladder.
The fans were particularly noisy outside. It was a shame that they couldn't bring the noise inside as it appeared that we were the only ones singing anything with classic chants such as "Are you Grimsby in disguise", "Where's your Keegan gone?" and "You should have stayed outside."
Overall, I enjoyed the entire day, even getting lost on the way back to the train station. Next up is Everton on Sunday, but with no Craig Fagan (broken leg thanks to Danny Thugeri).
'Til then, up the Tigers and live in hope that we don't get any more injuries to our key players because love him or hate him, Fagan has been instrumental in our fine start to the season.