Life's a pitch here in Orlando
Newcastle United have had their fair share of plastic pitches down the years.
But tonight against Orlando will get another impromptu chance to see the Mags play on an artificial surface in a game that will spark memories of football of yesteryear.
Basically, Orlando had agreed to provide United with a grass surface and paid thousands of dollars to roll out temporary turf.
But after inspection, it was agreed by all parties to rip it up and go back to Plan A - which is a plastic pitch that goes by the name of Field Turf.
Field Turf provides NFL sides with their pitches and even the Toon use it at their indoor hall in Benton.
Rolled on grass can prove dangerous and end up like a carpet in a tatty Tyneside social club!
That was the case for Man City in Vancouver when Yaya Toure was hurt.
But playing on the plastic - which Orlando use every other week - brings back memories (painful ones) of Oldham, Luton and QPR in the old days.
One of the last times United played a competitive game on plastic came at Boundary Park against Oldham on New Years Day 1991.
Back then Oldham were a class act on plastic and pulled off several scalps in the FA and League Cup the previous season by reaching the Littlewoods Cup final and the last four of the FA Cup.
United were close to picking up a rare away win at Boundary Park in 1991 until a last minute own goal from Mark Stimosn denied them.
And don't get me started on the game with QPR on plastic when United threw away a 4-0 lead at Loftus Road and drew 5-5.
In charge that day at QPR was Jack Charlton who lost it with his players.
And he knows all about losing it at tonight's venue too after managing the Republic of Ireland in Orlando in the 1994 World Cup.
Back then clashes with officials over water breaks and substitutions made life hell for Charlton and his Scouse striker John Aldridge.
Hopefully they're won't be any repeat tonight!
Profile
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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