Ibrox remembered
The last time Newcastle United prepared for a season in the Premier League - it also coincided with a trip to the magnificent Ibrox.
Ally McCoist's testimonial was the occasion and United - already on a high after promotion - continued to give Toon fans reason for optimism with a 2--1 win, Scott Sellars and Andy Cole on the scoresheet.
It was a great time to be a Newcastle fan as the buses left just next to the Farmer's Rest and the old NUFC supporters club, the mood on the old Armstrong Galley coaches was fantastic.
However, there was a little bit of apprehension in the air after Rangers fans had clashed with and then slashed some Sunderland fans a few days earlier at Gary Bennett's testimonial at Roker Park.
There was no trouble in this one though.
Just before the kick off Toon fans chanted "If you've got your season ticket clap your hands" as the incredible scenario of "all season ticket" matches kicked in.
Indeed back then Kevin Keegan made Newcastle a hot ticket and if you didn't have a season ticket, there was little chance of getting in to see the might Magpies.
Just 12 months later, Newcastle returned to Ibrox again as they invited us to the ibrox Tournament.
This time it was a weekender for fans and me and couple of mates stayed in a dodgy caravan park in a place called Stepps.
United beat Man United on pens after a 1-1 draw on the Friday night with Eric Cantona dinking a crucial kick over, prompting chants of "Oh ah over the bar, say oh ah over the bar" with Marc Hottiger slotting home the winner.
Man U lost to Rangers the next day but Newcastle were beaten by Sampdoria, led by Sven Goran Eriksson with stars like Platt and Lombardo in the line-up.
Nevertheless it was great weekend again and bonds between the Rangers and Newcastle fans were forged that weekend.
Hopefully the trip for the Toon Army and a new generation of fans can be just as enjoyable and trouble free.
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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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Fingers crossed for a great match tomorrow, Geordies always welcome at Ibrox!Both sets of fans so passionate and loyal to their club,both slightly mental and up for a laugh as well lol!Geordies and Gers = good friendship :)
hope you have a great day up at Ibrox we are happy to welcome you and look forward to some good football :) you love your club as much as we do
Dont think their will be any problems with fans, there has been numerous matches over the years and no major problems, weve been to newcastle too and done ourselves proud unlike the green side of the city. I welcome Newcastle to Ibrox in what should be a good competitive friendly (id expect no less)
Based on what I've saw the blue side of the city have been the trouble when travelling, Barcelona Manchester villareal unirea. Home fans are usually well behaved though.
How do you work that out john? We had 9 away games in the run up to the uefa cup final with no trouble at all, the final itself was shameful yet the circumstances revolving it make it understandable... that said, of celtics recent champs lg game against man u they had a higher % of fans arrested out of their travelling support... not making excuses but the other minor incidents u mentioned are no worse than the scuffles the likes of spurs had in sevilla, celtic in blackburn lincoln celta vigo and man u in roma....
You should have been at SJP in 1969 when the animals tried to get the game abandoned and then smashed up the town.