A shout out to these Newcastle United fans in Bratislava, Vienna and Prague | OneFootball

On Wednesday, I had the wonderful pleasure of an unplanned visit by my good friend and fellow Newcastle United fan, John.

I was in the Fast Ox in Whitley Bay and John is back in the UK on personal business.

John now resides in Slovakia, having previously lived and worked in Russia.

For the last few years he has become the first person that I regularly communicate with in the mornings.

With me being an exceptionally early riser and the difference, John is already up and about by the time I’m on my first cuppa.

We regularly to and fro on WhatsApp about everything Newcastle United related and my mate’s precise topical insight has at times been a source of inspiration for my articles.

Some of the regulars in the Ox had met John before and knew from past experience they wouldn’t stand a chance of getting to the bar when this bloke was about.

The drink flowed and the patter obviously turned to our final game of the season against Everton. We all talked enthusiastically about what potentially awaited.

All were calmly confident that United will see out the campaign with a good performance and result, ensuring the return of Champions League football to St James’ Park.

John informed me that my articles (and those by others on The Mag) are regularly read by Geordie ex-pats he knows in Bratislava (Slovakia), Vienna (Austria) and Prague (Czech Republic).

He has indeed also became a bit of an ambassador for the Toon with many of the local residents that he knows.

United’s most famous night in European competition took place in the Eastern Bloc 56 years ago.

Bobby Moncur lifted the Inter Cities Fairs Cup, after we had beaten Ujpest Dozsa on a warm night in Hungary and completed a 6-2 aggregate win in the two-legged final.

United have had a fan club over there for many years and I know they will be taking an interest in Sunday’s proceedings.