I remember 92/93 - memories of then and now in the world of NUFC
As Newcastle United continue to mount an impressive tilt at football's second tier title undoubtedly memories of the last time the Mags (for those of us who remember) will start to flood back.
Let's get one thing straight, getting back to the Premier League is the be all and end all of the 2009/10 season for Newcastle, regardless of how they do it.
But while memories start to filter through our minds of the 92/93 season, certainly, the Newcastle United of then and now are very different.
Could you say that the football has been as entertaining as it was 17 years ago - or in the circumstances did it ever really matter?
The well documented off the field saga makes it different.
In a recent interview with Colin Calderwood said he felt that stars like Nolan, Carroll and Enrique could enjoy similar cult hero status as Clark, Cole, Kelly and Beresford and Co.
But it's hard to say whether, if we are promoted, the team will enjoy a civic reception like the one in 1993.
Back then 200,000 fans took over the city with many of them climbing trees, churches and anything else that would offer them a vantage point to see Newcastle's open top bus parade.
This culminated with Kevin Keegan taking a place in front of those masses when he said something along the lines of: "I once came back with Liverpool with the European Cup and I thought I'd never see anything like it again, but just like you have all season you have proved that you are the best fans in the land."
It's hard to see similar scenes, regardless of the outcome of the season and even though this side could eclipse the points tally of 92/93 season, emerge with an unbeaten home record and seal promotion before the 44 game mark.
That said, the 93 team had just fought off relegation in the old Second Division and were punching above their weight for long periods, while several members of this team had been purchased to challenge for Europe by a long list of former managers.
Certainly Jonas, Coloccini, Smith, Barton, Enrique, Guthrie and Butt all arrived on Tyneside with ambitions of playing on the continent from their respective sides.
And current squad members Harper, Steven Taylor, Ameobi, Krul and Carroll have represented this club in Europe before relegation.
Which underlines the fact that this side should arguably never been in this division to start with.
No matter, if you do believe in the theory that relegation can be good for a club in the way that it can cleanse both massive wage bills and clear away prima donas and those who don't have the clubs best interests at heart, then that theory has perhaps unfolded this season.
Every man in the dressing room this year appears to genuinely care for the club and as importantly the supporters.
They've so far been driven and determined in their goal of promotion but also on a hiding to nothing.
Mental strength has been needed in abundance.
But whatever you think about the overall situation at Newcastle, promotion will equal forward progress just like it did last time.
Where Newcastle go after that, however, is another matter that nobody can really predict without the aid of a crystal ball.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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Unfortunately we had john hall and kevin keegan now we have a owner whos only interest is lying and misleading the fans and pocketing millions of pounds from the club (and dont even waste peoples time of printing rubbish that ashley has put 30M into the club) and if the club get promoted a yes man who has proved clueless in the premier league twice before.
Agree Lee, things are a bit different this time but maybe it has brought us all down to earth a bit. I do think there is a very good chance it was part of MA's plans to take us down and clear the decks but i don't think we'll ever really know.
if we do get back up its going to be hard to avoid buying players of the type we have had to get rid of this season.
I am a little concered (this is meant to be a form of entertainment after all!) that MA will put the club straight back on the market at the end of the season and that will signal a block on strengthening the team accordingly.
Taking a down-to-earth viewpoint is all very well, but I watched most of the 92/93 matches and personally I much preferred the head in the clouds feeling that we were going to demolish all of the teams in the upcoming premier league season. I can't see us doing that next season.
Sadly Hughton and Ashley can't inspire the same dreams that Keegan and John Hall did. Hughton has done an excellent workman-like job, but he's no talisman. Personally I want those dreams back and to be 3-0 up against Barca at half-time.
Richard,
Whilst I totaly agree with the sentiment of your post, it is my beleif that even the established top 4 or 5 of the current premiership couldnt possibly expect such an outcome in a match against Barca,
It is therefore my opinion that I would gladly accept 3.1 at half time.
regards
Yarmouth