My three Newcastle United New Year wishes I would love to see become reality | OneFootball

An ideal time in the heart of the festive season to get a snapshot of views from Newcastle United fans on how they think things are going.

So we sent out various questions to a small number of regular/irregular contributors to The Mag.

Asking these Newcastle United fans some of the important questions of the day.

As well as some with a seasonal twist.

Here we have Magic Sponge giving his answers:

What would be a perfect Newcastle United Christmas present to unwrap?

Katy Perry or Kylie Minogue, sorry, got carried away there…hmmm, maybe an announcement that we can build on an extra 25k onto St James’?

In your lifetime, the five people associated with Newcastle United (anybody, on or of the pitch, inside or outside the club) who you would like to say thank you to and why?

Kevin Keegan, for everything you did on the pitch and off it, restoring some dignity and pride to our magnificent support.

My big mate Rob from North Shields for putting up with me all these years and hosting me for many matches, and the memories which are always ours to cherish.

Alan Shearer, for coming home and lifting the gloom and giving us so many good times, and for (almost) single handedly getting us to Wembly twice.

Peter Beardsley, the best player I ever watched for our club, an unbelievable player, humble and just went about his business as if he was as happy as he was having a kick around as a youngster. I remember Keegan said to Arthur Cox at the time, ‘where did you find him?’ A huge compliment from KK, he thought he was wonderful, as did Sir Bobby, he called him ‘my little gem’.

Sir Bobby Robson, a true gentleman, a man who had the respect of the entire footballing world who carried himself as an outstanding representative of Newcastle United. I met him in Sofia, Bulgaria and he was someone who really listened to everyone he met, nobody was irrelevant, everyone got his attention full on. A fitting end to my contribution, me thinks. HTL!

In 2024 what have been your three worst Newcastle United moments?

Getting chinned by Liverpool first day of the year, I detest that lot.

Selling Minteh, I really thought he was one for the future under Eddie’s tutelage.

Saying goodbye to Amanda Stavely as it certainly seemed she genuinely cared about the club.

Once we get Christmas out of the way, the Newcastle United hierarchy have promised an update early in the New Year, regarding what their plans are for delivering a significantly bigger/better stadium. What do you hope they say? (Not just whether staying at SJP or new site but also capacity, timescale, progress they might have made on the quiet regarding their plans, whatever)

I think an announcement in the New year would be a great lift/relief for us all , especially if we continue our momentum on the pitch. I would love an 80k stadium with standing areas like Dortmund and maybe I can finally get a ticket and get in to add my beautiful tenor voice to our stripey choir.

The 2025/26 season will be the tenth since Newcastle United last had a Premier League derby match. Have you any seasonal black and white goodwill for our Mackem friends finally making it back to the top tier, from what looks the most appalling quality second tier for many years. Or even just because the amusing FA Cup stroll on Wearside last season whetted your appetite for the return of the derbies?

Who?

If you could guarantee five NUFC players to be fit for the rest of the season (including all those currently unavailable), who would you choose and in what order?

Isaak, Sandro (OLE), Hall, Big Joseph of Brazil and BDB for his dedication and devotion as a Geordie and giving everything every match.

If you could invite three current Newcastle United players to yours for a social gathering at Christmas, who would you invite and why?

Tripps, I think he would be an interesting lad to chat with considering his vast experience and work ethic. Also, would be interesting to tap into his mentality and positive mental attitude.

BDB, in case there’s any slabbering, big Dan would sort them out, but I reckon he would be the only one to keep up the pace on the lash like.

Sandro, because underneath that cool exterior, there’s a man of steel and determination. He oozes class and he would be fascinating to get to know.

If you could invite three Newcastle United connected people, past or present, around to yours for a social gathering at Christmas, who would you invite and why? Thinking of fans (famous or not), past (not present) players, managers, owners, whoever.

Kevin Keegan, without a second’s hesitation. My idol as a kid, and a winner in everything he did, he gave it all, and expected the same back…however, as we will know that doesn’t always work out in life. A true legend.

Asprilla, just for the craic, as he was mental and some of the stories I heard about him amused me greatly and I think he would be a rare specimen to get hammered with lol.

Speaking of which, must be Gazza…one of the most gifted players in history and a mad basket to boot. He would be funny to have around the table with his stories and humour, plus his opinions on all sorts of things, perhaps quantum physics and string theory and the like.

A knock on your door on Christmas Day, your place beautifully Xmas decorated, roaring fire, table laden with more food and drink than anybody could eat and drink. You open the door and freezing cold, snow bleaching down, which three cold and starving Newcastle United connected characters (past or present) would you still turn away?

FCB, Fat Sam, and Owen. I won’t explain why, I don’t need to.

Assuming you don’t think that position has been reached already… what would it take for you to think Newcastle United needed to consider replacing Eddie Howe?

Not even on my radar to be honest, although I do think our formation sometimes is too predictable, but with Sandro and Bruno now clicking, maybe he was just teasing us the first few months?

Nah, unless something catastrophic happens, Eddie is here to lift a trophy or five in the next chapter of the rollercoaster that is our beloved Toon.

If you were granted three New Year’s wishes (apart from the obvious of winning something!) to come true in 2024…

We beat Liverpool forever in every match by at least three goals, we sign another world class striker, and I’ll take an executive box please for me and my mates and unlimited Jorman beer on tap (please).

Ignore the media who are peeved off no end that we are going to upset their little cartel.

They sicken me with their bias commentary and the fact they keep calling Manure ‘united’ all the time annoys me greatly. Even in the pub when someone asks about ‘united’ I reply like the other day, ‘yeah they won 4-0 against Ipswich yesterday’…just to make a point and be annoying.

Win the FA Cup or League Cup sometime in the next five years AND finish between 8th and 10th in each of these five seasons, or win nothing AND finish between 2nd and 4th in every one of these five seasons?

Trick question, I’m not falling for it.

I want us to win the league and watch the media and the septic six melt down…it would be the greatest day of my life and I would be quite joyous as a result.

What are your worst ever past Newcastle United Christmas time moments / memories. Could be any kind of memories – matches, presents, whatever?

Back in 2018 being stuffed by the scouse 4-0,  it’s always that lot, and I have to listen to the abuse in my local from the glory hunting ‘individuals’.

Obviously it takes a ‘little’ bit of imagination but if there was a scenario where on the last day of a Premier League season… a Sunderland victory (against whoever) would mean Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League instead of Europa League BUT also meant the Mackems won the Premier League. What would you want to happen?

Their bus to break down and they all stop at a motorway service station where they all eat a hearty meal and get the skitters. As a result they are tragically beaten by their opponents, as three players are in the toilets and didn’t reappear for the second half and lose by 19 goals and they are all sad at this downturn of events, in fact, I would go as far as to say they would be dismayed and aghast.

I don’t think its gonna happen though, I mean there’s more chance of my scenario happening than that conundrum presenting itself in my lifetime. Europa league would be alright, some good places in Eastern Europe for an excuse to visit and take in the scenery and museums and other attractions of ‘culture’.