[From the introduction to
United - The First 100 Years: The Official Centenary History of Newcastle United (updated edition), 1995]
It is a great honour and privilege to write a tribute to my
football club on the occasion of the publication of this new book on its
history. As someone who was brought up in the North East and now represents
Sedgefield constituency, I know how important it is that we now have success in
sport.
The current
era is the most exciting for the club and its fans since I first began
supporting the team in the early sixties. Becoming leader of the Labour Party
puts great demands on my time, but wherever I am on a Saturday I anxiously
await the results. And, as someone who has a keen interest in sport, when
political engagements permit, I consider it a great privilege to be at the
match with the family – especially at St James’s Park. Though I have to confess
that there isn’t always domestic harmony at 4.45pm on Saturdays. My elder son,
Euan, supports Liverpool, as does his mother, and my younger son, Nicky, backs
Manchester United.
Football is
a great passion, loved by countless thousands of people throughout the country.
When I get to a match I’m always reminded that Bill Shankly’s famous comment
‘that football is more important than life or death’ s much to Tyneside as on
Merseyside.
I recall as
a teenager being elated by Supermac and his hat-trick home debut against
Liverpool in 1971. But, of course, in football as in politics we have to live
through the darker times as well – and I recall my gloom when we lost the FA
Cup final to Liverpool in 1974. I didn’t see Jackie Milburn play, but he and
Jimmy Smith, whose genius on the field I did witness, were my great childhood
heroes.
We are very
fortunate to follow the club in the current era. This is the most exciting
period since I started supporting ‘The Toon’. We are a forward looking club
with a magnificent new stadium, an ambitious and enterprising management, on
and off the field and, of course, a great squad of players.
I wish
everyone in the club well and know that we can build on our current success. Most
importantly we can foster high standards of endeavour and conduct inspiring our
young people – which I think is the greatest contribution one generation in
sport can bequeath to the next.
I know that
this revised edition of the history of the club will give great pleasure to
everyone.
[No commentary needed, I feel]
