The Wilderness Years (Newcastle United 1978-1984)

What was it like to be a die-hard Newcastle fan stuck in the void between the club’s Wembley glory days of the 1950s and its dazzling entertainers of the 90s?

After humiliating relegation from the old First Division in 1978, it soon became clear to fans there was no plan to bounce straight back. The Magpies were trapped in the wilderness. It would take more than mediocrity, though, to deter the fledgling fans born in the right place at the wrong time.

This gripping book:

• Tells the story of a young Newcastle fan, from matchday debut to die-hard, across six seasons when his team were reduced to an irrelevance at a time when English clubs dominated Europe
• Reveals what it was like to grow up on terraces that featured boiled burgers, bovver boys, basic facilities, questionable catering, police cordons and the horror of fan fencing
• Captures the life and times of a typical North-East lad, with dreams of becoming the next Malcolm Macdonald in the number-nine shirt, in a story transferred from schoolboy diaries, scrapbooks and newspaper cuttings
• Chronicles moments of hope too, and includes a happy ending with the signing of a superstar and promotion in his final season as reward for the patience and loyalty of the fans

This is one resolute supporter’s tragi-comic remembrance of times past, dedicated to anyone who calls themselves a football fan and doesn’t only sing when they’re winning.