Newcastle United fans in Japan

NewcastleWorld

Newcastle United fans from all four corners of the world gathered at an event in Tokyo.

Transcript

00:00My name is Washi from Newcastle United Japan. I've been supporting Newcastle since 2012.

00:08I started to organise some Newcastle United related events in Tokyo since 2014.

00:16So I've been doing this for about 10 years actually.

00:20And then finally we have Newcastle United here. That's fantastic news.

00:25How does it feel to have Newcastle? Is this the first time you've watched Newcastle United in the flesh?

00:31Actually I've been to Newcastle for three times so it's not the first time for me.

00:35But having Newcastle United in Japan, in Tokyo actually, that's a special occasion.

00:43A very special occasion for us.

00:46The last time Newcastle visited Japan was 1996.

00:51So I was two years old and I knew nothing about football.

00:55So I'm so glad to sing the tune of being here.

01:01Does it surprise you how many people in Japan actually support Newcastle?

01:06Not a surprising thing actually.

01:09We had a massive support in Japan as well.

01:13Even before the takeover actually we were a big group at that time.

01:18But especially after the takeover it's getting massive and massive.

01:21And we signed the first Japanese player Yoshinori Muto in 2018.

01:27That helped for us to get bigger as well.

01:33So yeah, we are a big group and as you can see we've got so many Japanese fans and Jordies as well.

01:40So yeah, we are on the rise.

01:46You'll be looking forward to the game later as well.

01:49Can we expect any flags again tonight?

01:52Yeah, as you saw on Wednesday we made so many flags.

01:59Actually we have some additional flags to be unveiled today.

02:04So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

02:08That is the best thing in the world.

02:11I really love the team and also because it's my life.

02:18Why is it your life? Why did you choose to support Newcastle all the way out here in Japan?

02:22It's like about 10 years ago I watched a game against Hull City.

02:29The game was so crazy and Alan Pardew had a headbutt.

02:36That is the game I watched first and the last time I already fell in love with this team.

02:43It's great to see Shola. He's about to speak again. Shola and Ameobi.

02:47Yeah, we really love Ameobi and we really love Shola.

02:53And also we made a flag about Shola.

02:57So I want to thank him and also want him to sign on the flag.

03:06How are you enjoying the tour so far?

03:09Sorry?

03:10How are you enjoying the tour so far? Watching the matches in Japan?

03:13Yeah, actually the Urawa game and Yokohama game I also love there.

03:18We also do the flag display. It's so special and today also will be special.

03:25What's your name please?

03:26Shota.

03:29Why Newcastle? Why are you a Newcastle fan here in Japan?

03:33Because of Alan Shearer. He was my team. That's why I love Newcastle.

03:39And we saw Shola and Ameobi, one of Alan Shearer's former teammates as well. Good to see him.

03:43Yeah, it was my dream come true.

03:48Alan Shearer, your favourite player of all time?

03:50Yes, and Shola. I love him.

03:53Who's your favourite current Newcastle player in the team at the moment?

03:56At the moment? Russell.

03:59Russell?

04:00Russell, yeah.

04:01He's the captain as well.

04:03Have you ever been to Newcastle before, been to St James' Park?

04:07Yes, in 2020 I've been there but unfortunately the game was cancelled.

04:16Tonight will be my first Newcastle United game so I'm so excited.

04:21How are you finding all the Newcastle fans over here from Newcastle and England and across the world?

04:27Yeah, like...

04:30You're struggling with the Geordie accent. There's a lot of Geordies here who speak quite interestingly.

04:36Yeah, it's so tough for me but everybody will have to understand that I have to improve so it's so tough.

04:44And what do you want to see from Newcastle tonight at the Japan National Stadium?

04:50What do you say?

04:51What do you want to see from the team tonight?

04:54Of course like Newcastle, we'll win.

04:58Can you first of all introduce yourselves?

05:00I'm David, this is Sharon, we're from Newcastle and we're here in Japan.

05:04Yeah, and what have you made of the trip so far?

05:06Oh, it's been very, very hot.

05:08But yeah, it's been good.

05:10And the idea, the fan event, lots of Japanese people there, fans from all four corners of the world, what do you think of that?

05:16I think it's great, people from all over the world supporting Newcastle.

05:20They're encouraged and they're really enthusiastic.

05:23They know all the songs and they've got some brilliant banners for the away end, which they did on Wednesday.

05:29Can I say, what did you make of the away end on Wednesday?

05:32It was a bit different to home away ends, if that makes sense.

05:36Everyone was very well behaved and respectful but still good to see everyone enjoy themselves.

05:44And looking forward to tonight as well.

05:46Yes, looking forward to tonight. Are you going to say anything?

05:50But overall, you've had a good time. Would you come back here after Newcastle and do it on a tour here again?

05:55Yeah, we'd consider it, yeah.

05:57I'm hoping for Dallas next year, if that helps.

06:00So we can go and see where JFK was shot as well as see Newcastle again.

06:04You know, kind of everything.

Category

Transcript

Recommended