Source: Daily_Mail
Welcome back, Newcastle! Five reasons why the Geordies will brighten up the Premier League
The result wasn't important in the end but Newcastle celebrated their return back to the Premier League with a victory over Sheffield United to really get the party started. [LNB]The tears and heartache of relegation are now forgotten and the long-suffering Geordies can now look forward to taking their place back in the big league. And, do you know what? We're glad to have them back. [LNB]From the ground and fans to their delusions of grandeur, it's an eclectic mix which defines the giants of the north-east. Sportsmail says - welcome back Newcastle, we've missed you. [LNB] Spectacular: Premier League fans can look forward to more strikes like this one by Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan after the Magpies clinched promotion[LNB]1. The fans How many times we have watched in awe as the legions of Newcastle fans stood, in the middle of winter, with no tops on watching their team? We still don't know why they do it, but it's just one example of the idiosyncrasies which define the 'Barcodes.' [LNB]Noisy, humorous and they always turning up in their droves, the Premier League was a quieter place without them. [LNB] No explanation: A Newcastle United supporter celebrates in traditional style[LNB]2. Misguided ambition The days of Champions League football are long gone and Newcastle have not won a major trophy since the Fairs Cup in 1969. But the fans are still convinced they are not just the greatest team in the north east, they're the greatest team in the world. [LNB]Not even a stint in the Championship is going to deter some Geordies from considering a tilt at the title in 2010-11. [LNB] Ambitious: Even Geordie legend Alan Shearer couldn't inspire a Tyneside title win but some fans will expect Newcastle to follow up promotion with a title push[LNB] 3. St James' Park Sitting proudly above the city skyline, St. James' Park dominates Newcastle physically. The third largest football stadium in the country, with a capacity of 52,387, it is a raucous bowl of noise, capable of intimidating even the hardest of players. [LNB]Sunderland fans take great joy in calling it Sid James' Park and away fans bemoan the 14 flights of stairs to reach their lofty perch but there's no doubt it is worthy of hosting top flight football once again. [LNB] What a sight: The 52,000-plus capacity St James' Park[LNB]4. The rollercoaster The Geordies certainly know how to court drama. Their obsession with messiahs, renaming their ground and images of their chairman necking pints of beer in the stands, life with Newcastle is never dull. [LNB]We're as certain as we can be that if things don't go well for Chris Hughton, the calls will start for Alan Shearer to retake up the reigns, and who'd bet against Kevin Keegan returning again?[LNB] Will he last? Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has rejuvenated the club[LNB] 5. North-east derby With Newcastle and Middlesbrough disappearing down to the Championship last season, this year's Premier League has been denied of that famous spectacle - the north east derby. [LNB]As heated and tense as your London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow varieties, Newcastle have to go back as far as April 2008 for their last victory over Sunderland. [LNB]And it will be the first match they look out for when the fixtures are released ahead of the start of next season.[LNB] Unforgettable: Kevin Phillips (left) secures a famous derby win for Sunderland[LNB] Over the Toon: Fired-up Newcastle seal return to the Premier LeagueNolan demands big finish from flying Newcastle to clinch ChampionshipNewcastle 2 Sheffield United 1: Toon tears as Hughton finds it all too muchToon need to spend £60m to survive in Premier League, warns Forest bossNORTHERN EXPOSURE: Sunny outlook for Newcastle as Chris Hughton blows away the dark clouds [LNB]
