A special documentary charting Newcastle's rise from relegation back to the Champions League, featuring interviews with Sky Sports' Keith Downie and journalist Henry Winter, plus NewcastleWorld football writer Jordan Cronin.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 [SILENCE]
00:07 [CHANTING]
00:27 For the last decade I've sat here, Roel, seat 36 of Block I in the Old East Stand,
00:33 and what I witnessed from here last season was nothing short of remarkable.
00:38 [CHANTING]
00:50 [APPLAUSE]
00:56 [CHANTING]
01:05 [APPLAUSE]
01:09 My name is Daniel Wales. I'm a sports broadcast journalist for local TV sport.
01:16 I've interviewed star names, I've reported from big events, and I'm a massive Newcastle United supporter.
01:23 I've watched the club in the good and mostly the bad times, but all of a sudden,
01:29 Newcastle are on the road back to Europe. How did they get here?
01:33 Well, that's what I've been finding out.
01:36 Newcastle United's road back to Europe starts in 2003, when the club were last in the Champions League.
01:49 Their final away match was a 2-2 draw against Inter Milan at the San Siro.
01:55 Many thought this would be a continued bout of success for the club, but it was not to be.
02:01 In 2007, the club was bought by British businessman Mike Ashley,
02:07 famous for founding the Sports Direct chain of British high street stores.
02:11 His reign initially seemed quite positive, but things soon turned,
02:16 and the club would go on to endure one of the most turbulent periods in its history.
02:21 It suffered two relegations in just ten years, the first in 2009, and the second in 2016.
02:29 Here at St James' Park, the atmosphere had begun to turn very sour.
02:37 [MUSIC]
02:42 [MUSIC]
03:10 [MUSIC]
03:36 War flags, who were established in 2016 as Gallagher flags, no longer put their displays on on a match day.
03:44 [MUSIC]
03:49 [MUSIC]
03:53 [MUSIC]
03:57 [MUSIC]
04:01 [MUSIC]
04:06 [MUSIC]
04:10 [MUSIC]
04:13 Then, as everyone knows, in October of 2021, everything changed for Newcastle United
04:19 when the consortium took over the club, ending Mike Ashley's tenure as owner.
04:24 [MUSIC]
04:28 [MUSIC]
04:32 [MUSIC]
04:36 [MUSIC]
04:40 [MUSIC]
04:44 [MUSIC]
04:48 [MUSIC]
04:52 The man who broke the news that the takeover had been completed was Keith Downey of Sky Sports.
04:57 He recalled the emotions of that day.
05:01 [MUSIC]
05:04 So the first question I have, Keith, is just how frantic was that day covering the story?
05:08 It felt like the day just, it was like a crescendo.
05:11 I think my original feeling or belief was that the takeover was going to,
05:15 I was told it was probably going to be passed through at ten o'clock in the morning.
05:18 So I thought, right, I'm going to get up, deliver the news, and then that's going to be it.
05:22 Then, because obviously it took a while for the funds to transfer and the shares and whatnot to go through,
05:28 it kind of built up throughout the day to a crescendo until it broke at like, what was it, 5.20 on the, on tea time.
05:34 So by that point, it was frantic.
05:37 I mean, I'd been sitting looking at the statement on my phone for about two, three hours beforehand,
05:40 and I'd read it, and I knew it was there, and I knew it was done,
05:42 but we couldn't actually announce it until the money had been transferred over.
05:46 So I think I built myself up in a little bit of a frenzy, reading it and reading it and reading it and planning to myself
05:50 how I was going to announce it, how I was going to say, and then when it happened and they said go,
05:54 it just, all, you know, all the sort of plans I had went out the window,
05:59 and it was all just, I kind of went a little bit freestyle at the time.
06:02 But it was frantic in that, you know, 36 hours earlier, I'd been playing golf,
06:06 and I was halfway around the golf course, and I got a call to say that the consortium,
06:09 or members of the consortium, were on their way to Newcastle to complete the deal and get the keys to the place.
06:14 So having covered the story for maybe three, four years,
06:18 the amount that happened in that 36 hours was just crazy.
06:22 You mentioned that you covered it for a long time, of course, it was a year of speculation
06:26 come since it first broke in April 2020 in the middle of lockdown.
06:30 And so when you got to announce it here, outside St James' Park, just how did that feel?
06:34 Well, it was emotional. I think you could probably see that in my face at the time.
06:40 It was like a release of adrenaline, a release of tension that had been built up for all those years.
06:46 You've got to remember, us as reporters in the North East were probably collateral damaging the whole thing as well,
06:50 because we had reported that the takeover was close a number of times.
06:54 And when it didn't go through, we kind of got the blame.
06:58 And, you know, I can see why fans were frustrated with us and upset with us and angry with us in many ways.
07:03 And when it fell through in the previous July, I remember walking around Newcastle for about two, three hours that night,
07:09 kind of just feeling, you know, where do we go next from here?
07:13 So I think having covered the story for a number of years and for it to finally go through and be ratified in the way it was,
07:18 with all the supporters here and the timing of it, it was International Week, so it was quite elsewhere.
07:23 So it was the only story in town. I think it just made me feel quite emotional because I knew what I was saying
07:30 meant so much to so many other people. I knew that it was a big moment for Newcastle.
07:34 It was the biggest story here in, you know, decades.
07:37 And it just felt like a very big moment and I knew it was going to change so many people's lives.
07:42 So I think that's probably why I got a little bit emotional.
07:44 But it was also just a release of all that built up tension of all the years of reporting on it and not getting it over the line.
07:50 Probably not that dissimilar a feeling to how it was for you guys as supporters.
07:54 And with the new ownership sat in these seats here came the return of War Flags,
08:01 adding once again to the matchday atmosphere and spectacle.
08:06 [MUSIC]
08:10 [APPLAUSE]
08:13 [MUSIC]
08:33 [APPLAUSE]
08:36 Since the takeover, War Flags displays have become a lot larger scale,
08:45 sometimes taking up the entire stadium, which is also coincided with an upturn of form on the pitch for Newcastle United.
08:52 Newcastle United's form in the 2022/2023 season saw other clubs sit up and take notice.
09:01 They were on the road back to Europe.
09:04 Ben and Joseph of War Flags explained how their love for the club helped spur on the rest of the War Flags crew
09:13 as expectations amongst the fan base continued to rise.
09:17 So firstly, just what does Newcastle United mean to you, to you both?
09:28 I think it's just the most important thing in my life because even when it's not a matchday,
09:35 and even when we're not playing anything soon, I just spend a lot of time thinking of Newcastle United,
09:40 a lot of time just waiting for matchday.
09:44 It's almost like a way of life, the way it is, that you live for it.
09:48 Every second that you think about it, you just want to be here, you want to be watching the team,
09:53 you want to be watching football, really. Proper, distinct way of life, and almost like a religion.
09:59 I think the most important thing is that we just do as much as we possibly can to make the atmosphere as loud as it is,
10:05 because the louder the atmosphere is, the better the players will be.
10:07 So I think that's why it's important, it's just that, it gets the fans going,
10:12 it gets that little bit of an extra edge on the background of the Premier League maybe as well.
10:17 It makes them want to be in front of our team.
10:21 It's a lot of things we do, but I think as a fan base, the goal is for everybody coming together.
10:27 We can put flags out, the seats put flags out everywhere, but we've got to bring it all together.
10:32 So we can only set things up for people and for fans, but I take it away from there, which we have been doing for 18 years.
10:39 From the start of the season, picking up points everywhere, the goals we were scoring,
10:47 the atmosphere, the whole buzz around the club came back, from the start of the season with the signings,
10:52 everything started to click, and it was just overwhelming joy in the end.
10:59 It's just when you get to the point where you feel like you could actually achieve something,
11:03 which, I mean, never in the world have I been watching Newcastle at the end of a football, that's one mistake.
11:08 When you get to the point of the season where we're doing well in the club,
11:12 and we're pushing for Champions League, you could actually achieve something.
11:17 Quite impressive.
11:18 To find out just what the mindset behind the scenes at the club was like,
11:23 I attended a talk-in where Newcastle United supporters were listening to various journalists
11:28 who were giving their thoughts on the club's recent form and the prospect of playing Champions League football once again.
11:41 Behind the scenes and in the border, of course, it's a brand new ownership structure at Newcastle,
11:46 compared to what it was even two years ago.
11:49 From their perspective, how important do you think getting back into Europe was
11:54 in terms of the exposure of the club and playing on the highest level in Europe
11:58 and exporting Newcastle's brand to the world, essentially?
12:01 If you look at the people who are involved with Newcastle United at the very top,
12:05 they are, they're winners, they're competitive people.
12:08 They want, and they almost assume, it sounds a bit arrogant, because they're not arrogant,
12:13 they expect to be at the top table of all the football competitions, Champions League,
12:19 contesting for the Premier League.
12:22 So that's in their mindset.
12:23 It's like if you talk to players and say, "Do you want to win something?"
12:26 They say, "Well, of course."
12:27 Kieran Trippier wants to win the next throw, in the next corner, the next game, the next competition.
12:32 That's their mindset.
12:34 You'll buy more players, and the more exposure you'll get, the more money you'll get,
12:38 makes FFP easier.
12:39 Remember, you have to actually work with UEFA's FFP as well as the Premier League's FFP.
12:48 So that is, there are issues there.
12:51 But the club seems to be well run on that.
12:53 You haven't really splurged the cash excessively.
12:56 So, no, I like the way it's run, and you've got a fantastic manager in Eddie Howe.
13:02 The 2022/23 season was really beginning to take shape for Newcastle United.
13:08 They were winning matches under Eddie Howe and playing some very attractive football.
13:12 The prospect of Champions League football was becoming a bigger reality by every week.
13:18 The fans, of course, singing loud and proud from the stands, were loving every minute of the season.
13:31 One supporter, Adam Pearson, who makes YouTube videos about Newcastle United,
13:36 told me about his experiences following the club both home and away, and making content out of it.
13:43 [Music]
13:46 That must be great, when we're making content about a team that's doing so well on the pitch as well.
14:06 Well, that's always going to be a case, I think, with Newcastle, because you've got to look at it.
14:10 For example, a fan of a different football team in the past,
14:13 what would he watch in Newcastle United, Cottingham Crater?
14:15 There's absolutely no point at all. The team's going nowhere.
14:18 It's just neglected. There's no future whatsoever. There's no focal point.
14:22 So, with the club now progressing to higher, we've got into a Champions League first full season after the takeover.
14:27 I think opposition fans know that Newcastle is going to get better and better.
14:30 There's a reason to watch Newcastle United, Cottingham Crater, because you know the team is going to do better.
14:34 It's exciting to watch. I think the football's been good to watch as well.
14:38 And therefore, people out there will probably want to watch Newcastle United, Cottingham Crater,
14:41 to see what's going to happen to the team next. It's just a great opportunity.
14:44 I think Brighton's a good example as well for Newcastle fans to look on to,
14:47 the team is progressing every single season.
14:49 For me, I like watching them. I think it's interesting to watch them.
14:52 And I think that's probably the same for opposition fans towards Newcastle.
14:55 And the scene now that we've got the ownership in, we've got the backing, we've got the manager, we've got the players,
14:59 it's where all them ones were for Cottingham Crater and for Newcastle United.
15:02 So, everyone's got to succeed.
15:05 As the season came to a conclusion in May, Newcastle only needed a handful of points
15:10 to secure their goal of returning to the Champions League.
15:14 It would come down to two home games, against Brighton first, and then Leicester City.
15:20 [MUSIC]
15:24 [MUSIC]
15:28 [MUSIC]
15:31 [MUSIC]
15:35 [MUSIC]
15:39 [MUSIC]
15:43 [MUSIC]
15:47 [MUSIC]
15:51 [MUSIC]
15:56 [MUSIC]
15:59 [MUSIC]
16:03 [MUSIC]
16:07 [MUSIC]
16:11 [MUSIC]
16:15 [MUSIC]
16:19 And so, Newcastle United had done it.
16:22 They had returned to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
16:26 From the boardroom, the players, the staff, the fans and war flags,
16:30 they had all played their part in getting their club back to Europe's elite footballing competition.
16:36 What makes Newcastle such a special footballing city?
16:40 I think Newcastle is a special city.
16:43 I've had enough cousins come up here and go to university here,
16:48 and I thought, I said to them, I thought it was just a three-year course,
16:52 because they haven't come back after about five or six years,
16:55 because they're having such a good time up here.
16:57 Look, it's a great city, but the football here, I mean, you walk up from the station,
17:02 and St James' Park dominates the skyline, it dominates all the conversations.
17:07 And I love that walk up from the station, I don't know whether you call it a ghill or whatever,
17:11 those little sort of avenues you go up, and you see everyone's in the pub,
17:14 and they're watching the other games, and they're talking, and they're all just sort of...
17:17 It's, yeah, it's funny, because you go around Newcastle on a non-match day,
17:24 and it's like a match day elsewhere, because it's just, everyone's walking around in their black and white shirts.
17:29 So Alex Ferguson always used to say he loved coming up here,
17:32 because he would, you know, the Chronicle would have exclusive breaking news,
17:41 and it would be five pages, ten pages of 'Andy Cole might have a hamstring',
17:48 and then pages 11, 12, 13 would be 'end of the world', 'disaster', whatever.
17:53 So yeah, it's a passionate place, and it must be amazing to be a student here, to be a fan here, to live here.
18:01 And with the club, of course, getting back into Europe, the Champions League for the first time in two decades,
18:05 what are you, as a journalist and reporter, most looking forward to in terms of covering that event,
18:10 and when it does happen?
18:12 In no particular order.
18:14 The joy of the Newcastle fans as they take over another city centre square.
18:20 Newcastle will have a go. I mean, that's, Eddie Howe will have a go.
18:26 They won't sit back, they'll catch a few people out, because it's a slightly new experience
18:32 for a lot of the more established teams to play against Newcastle United.
18:36 I think one or two of them will be caught out by St James' Park.
18:40 Whether you consider it as intimidating as certain grounds that can be found on the Champions League circuit,
18:49 they're few, barring maybe one or two in Istanbul, that are as loud as St James' Park.
18:55 And whether that's intimidating or not, players tend to raise their game.
18:58 The big issue they have is they won't be able to hear each other.
19:01 So they'll have to be well-grooled in what they've got to do before they go out there,
19:06 because they won't be able to hear.
19:08 Going away to Europe next season and all the away days Newcastle might have on the continent,
19:14 what stadiums and what supporter groups are you looking forward to experiencing the most?
19:18 Well, because they'll be in probably Pot 3 or Pot 4 in the Champions League,
19:23 they'll get a couple of big teams in their group, a couple of the top seeds.
19:27 So you could have a situation where they're going to Real Madrid, possibly somewhere like Ajax, Bayern Munich,
19:33 some of those really elite sides, and that's part of the appeal and the attraction of the Champions League.
19:38 You could also have them playing Celtic or Rangers, which is not a continental tie,
19:44 but it's a match that would be sensational. Imagine the atmosphere going there.
19:49 So there's so much to look forward to with it.
19:51 And of course, if Newcastle don't get through in the group, if they finish third,
19:54 they'll end up in the Europa League, which could give them a route to success in Europe at the end of that.
20:00 So just being back in the Champions League is massive for the profile of the club,
20:04 and the fans will have the opportunity, a new set, a new generation of fans,
20:08 and some who've done it before, to go on these European adventures.
20:11 And we just can't wait.
20:13 Newcastle United as a fan base will be an excellent addition to the Champions League next season.
20:18 The atmosphere at St James' Park, I suppose this season and last season when the wall flags,
20:28 their pitchers have gone across Europe, but then Newcastle will be on the European stage now,
20:33 where the atmosphere at Newcastle will be documented very highly.
20:38 And with that comes attracting players, because who wouldn't want to play in that atmosphere?
20:47 Just looking towards the Champions League, of course, those European nights are something that have been missed
20:51 at St James' Park for God knows how many years now.
20:54 What have you got planned, or what can you say so far?
20:58 In typical wall flags fashion, we like to come up with our best ideas very close to the time.
21:06 We've got a few little things burning that we think could be really, really good.
21:11 We just need to make sure everything falls into place and everything gets here in time.
21:17 We've just got to make the spectacular hours, the best of the hours.
21:21 And just as a quick prediction, who would you want in the group, if you could pick?
21:28 Waxer asked me this, I didn't have a clue what to say to him.
21:31 He said something about Real Madrid, love of Real Madrid, love of Atletico Madrid,
21:36 having Milan, any Milan team, Barcelona.
21:39 I think a lot of people want a mixed group, where it's some big clubs, some small clubs,
21:45 but to be honest, I'd take a people of depth type thing, because I was a basketball student.
21:52 I think we make it difficult for depth, we play like the way we can, we cause that.
21:57 Even if we're getting to Europa League, it isn't a worst-case scenario.
22:02 As long as we have a good account of ourselves, that's good.
22:06 [Music]
22:10 [Music]
22:13 [Music]
22:17 [Music]
22:20 [Music]
22:26 [Music]
22:33 [Music]
22:45 [Music]
22:48 [Music]
22:54 [Music]
23:00 [Music]
23:06 [Music]
23:14 [Music]
23:17 [Music]
23:23 [Music]
23:28 [Music]
23:34 [Music]
23:41 [Music]
23:44 [Music]
23:50 [Music]
23:55 ♪ La la la la ♪
23:57 ♪ La la la ♪