You could never accuse The Magpies of lacking passion but do the numbers reflect this?
It’s not been an easy couple of years for Newcastle United. Two relegations, countless poor managers, even more poor players, a humiliating stadium re-branding, Joe Kinnear, Joe Kinnear again, and an owner hated by all around; it’s enough to put any fan off their football.
The fact that Alan Shearer’s recently unveiled bronze statue more closely resembles Dale Winton circa-Supermarket Sweep than the most lethal goalscorer in Premier League history doesn’t help matters either.
Yet, to their eternal credit, St James’ Park remains packed to the rafters every single week, regardless of whether they’re welcoming Manchester United or Cardiff. Few cities in English, maybe even European football support their team so passionately as those of a black and white persuasion on Tyneside.
According to The Chronicle, only 13 clubs across all of Europe’s major leagues pack more fans into their stadium than Newcastle on a matchday, with the likes of Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea all lagging behind. Just a reminder; The Magpies are not scrapping it out for their domestic title. They’re in the second tier.
Moreover, according to soccerstats, St James’ Park is 96.9 per cent full on average this season, a tally that would put them behind only twelve Premier League clubs, including high flying Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and champions Leicester. Essentially, Newcastle fans have countless more reasons to stay away on a Saturday. Not that this would ever cross their minds.
For the record, Newcastle’s north east rivals could only dream of such gates. Sunderland, perhaps the inevitable by-product of their annual mediocrity, manage to fill only 84.6 per cent of the Stadium of Light on matchdays, with Middlesbrough just ahead on 91.8.
Now do you wonder why Rafael Benitez decided to stay? There’s worse sensations than being serenaded by 51,000 adoring fanatics.
Average attendances by percentage:
1) West Ham 99.9
2) Manchester United & Arsenal 99.4
3) Chelsea & Everton 99.2
4) Stoke City & Swansea City 98.6
5) Tottenham Hotspur 98.4
6) Manchester City 98.5
7) Leicester City 98.1
8) Liverpool 97.7
9) Bournemouth 97.6
10) Newcastle United 96.9
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