BBC Sport neutrals comment on special bond between Newcastle and Athletic Bilbao fans | OneFootball

The BBC Sport neutrals have been commenting on the special bond between Athletic Bilbao fans and Newcastle United fans.

A special bond that spans more than three decades.

In 1994 the two clubs played a two-legged UEFA Cup-tie.

Both matches seeing the fans of both clubs having an incredible time in each other’s cities.

After an article was published about this relationship between the two sets of supporters, BBC Sport neutrals discussing the special bond between Newcastle United fans and Athletic Bilbao fans:

‘I have this fixture in 1994 to thank for my beautiful wife and children. Without Newcastle playing Athletic, I wouldn’t have known where Bilbao was when I first met my wife.

Unfortunately for her, when I asked where she was from, I was the first English person she’d met who knew where Bilbao was. She and her father were Athletic fans and her brothers Sociedad.. the rest is history as they say.’

‘As a Rugby League fan I’ve visited Newcastle numerous times for our weekend “Magic Weekend”,Let me tell you it’s by far one of the friendliest cities in the UK, I was sat with a local fan & he insisted in buying me & wife a drink never met him before.’

‘I think many non-Newcastle footy fans have a soft spot for Newcastle United and their fans, and who doesn’t like Geordies?’

‘In 1910, Athletic Club de Bilbao switched to the red and white colours. This change was directly linked to Sunderland, as a club director’s family’s ship, the Bachi, was sent to Sunderland to purchase new red and white shirts for the team, which were the same as those worn by the successful Sunderland AFC team at the time.’

‘The Athletic Bilbao website confirms that the club initially wore kit from Blackburn Rovers and then their traditional kit from Southampton.

Not Sunderland.’

‘As a proud Welshman, lived in Newcastle for over 40 years. Love the region and people. I have some great mates. Work-life balance matters to most folk. There’s a lot of good people around, everywhere, but too often the media focus on the bad ‘uns. Good luck Toon.’

‘Tough Geordie lads have nothing to prove and are comfortable in that knowledge, a bit like the Scots. It allows them to open up to strangers. You only have to go there to confirm that’s true. Sounds like Bilbao might be the same. Being secure in yourself banishes the need to be in a gang of similar inadequate people just so you’re less frightened all the time.’

‘I’d say it’s much more to do with our sense of community across Tyneside – we’re close-knit, sociable and generous. The Scots and Irish are very similar and that’s no surprise as many families from those countries emigrated to Tyneside in the latter half of the 19th Century to work in the shipyards and coal mines.’

‘What a great story. A refreshing change from all the negativity’

‘I think many non-Newcastle footy fans have a soft spot for Newcastle United and their fans, and who doesn’t like Geordies?’

‘It should be noted that Athletic afford this welcome to all clubs. I’ve been to Bilbao a couple of times with Man Utd and its been a fantastic welcome and they are so pleased you made the effort to travel.’

‘Fair play to all fans involved, great story’

‘Football fans are so often embarrassing, tribal and stuck in the datk ages, so things like this are so refreshing to read. It’s what it should, and used to be, all about.’

‘Heavy internet use and most of the media have rotted our brains unfortunately, hopefully we can get back to lifting each other up again’

‘Yes the same bond happened when they came to villa park in 98. It’s not unique . That’s who they are.’

‘The Bilbao fans/people were great to Spurs supporters in recent Europa League final – a good news story among football fans who get plenty of bad publicity.’

‘Thanks for such an uplifting article, showing the good side of humanity. A refreshing change from the horrid abuse directed at TAA last night. Good old Geordies, just love it.’

‘Nice to see two clubs who respect each other and also to read such nice comments’

‘Hopefully tonight Newcastle can Basque in glory.

After comments in Sunday’s HYS from both West Ham and Newcastle fans about how respectful opposing fans were both at the ground and in the comments, let us hope this kind of non-combative interchange becomes more common.

Of course some fan bases are lost causes…’

‘Love the Geordie fans. When they come to my club Ipswich loads of them queue up for a photograph next to Sir Bobby Robson Statue.’

‘Fell in love with the Geordies after the 1973 cup final which we, Liverpool, won. Met up with some of the Newcastle fans in Trafalgar Square. Good guys. No bitterness towards the Liverpool fans, just enjoyed the experience.’

‘Great memories described here. Newcastle people are renowned for being hospitable. ‘

‘A fellow (from Bilbao) called Juan Elorduy bought 50 Southampton shirts. There’s a further link though, during Spanish Civil War 5 Tyneside merchant ships (10 UK ships in total) sailed to Bilbao to rescue children and the elderly from Franco’s forces.’

‘Having been to Bilbao and living not far from Newcastle, can confirm they are both great cities and have passionate fans that represent football very well.’