Germany's top division have recorded a higher attendance overall than England's top division for the first time in their history. Sporting Intelligence's Nick Harris lays the blame squarely at the door of Newcastle United. "This was the first season since 2005-06 that the Premier League dipped below 13m fans and it was mainly down to Newcastle United’s absence."

"The Bundesliga began in 1963-64 and never before in its 46 year history has Germany’s top division attracted more fans in total than England’s top division, until now. The year-on-year decline in the Premier League can partly be assumed to be down to the recession but probably more attributable to the absence in 2009-10 of Newcastle, whose massive crowds will probably take Premier League averages back up again next season, almost certainly towards the 13.5m levels seen in 2008-09."

At least somebody missed us!

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Following Monday night’s match away to Plymouth Argyle, which saw Newcastle United secure the championship and a return to their rightful place in the top flight of English football; Greggs are planning to mark the club’s promotion in a unique way for this week’s home game against Ipswich. The Newcastle-based bakers are creating 100,000 specially designed Greggs bags, printed upside down with the message “Congratulations Toon Army, The League Champions!”

The reason for this particular choice of bag design came from the incredible scenes of jubilation amongst the Newcastle fans at the end of the match against Plymouth, where hundreds of shirtless Geordies fans were spotted wearing the iconic Greggs bags on their heads and singing "Geordie Pasties!" from the tops of their voices.

The inaugural Wallsend Boys' Club Golf Event will take place on Tuesday 4th May at Gosforth Golf Club (The Bridle Path).  The Event will be supported by the Club's ex-players Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley.

The cost to play in the event is £300 per team. All of the funds raised will go towards the Club's development of their new site at Bigges Main, to give their young people the facilities that they deserve.

WBC are looking for sponsorship for the Event which would mean the sponsors would have the opportunity to play their round with either of Newcastle Legends Alan Shearer or Peter Beardsley. In addition to playing with the ex Newcastle United stars the sponsors company name and logo would be advertised around the course.

If you would like to take part in the event or are a company /individual who is interested in sponsoring the event please contact Marc Jarvis at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 07590376508.

The death has been announced of former Newcastle player Charlie Crowe aged 85. NUST send their condolences to his family and friends.

As the last remaining member of the 1950's triple FA Cup winning Newcastle United team, Charlie Crowe was rightly a hero on Tyneside.

Charlie was renowned for his stamina and hard but fair tackles. He was a tenacious and fearless player. Proud to be a local lad made good, he was part of the ‘glory days' of the 50's when 'The Magpies' brought the F.A. Cup home to the North East. He spent fourteen years at St. James' Park and is the only survivor of that great 1951 team.

The royalties from his books and after dinner talks were donated to charity as he was determined to give something back to the city that had supported him with such fervour. Charlie started his scanner appeal to try to raise £1.5m.

Michael Cauwood is a student at Northumbria University who needs your help with his dissertation research project. He is a lifelong Newcastle fan, NUST member and is studying BA Human Geography. Michael is researching the geographical factors which influence a football supporters’ choice of team and whether national football teams are as important as club teams to supporters.

All responses are 100% anonymous and confidential.

Tony Lloyd - MP for Manchester Central has tabled the Early Day Motion EDM 807

Today is a sad day for North East Football as we learn of the news of the passing away of prominent North East Scout Jack Hixon at the age of 88. Jack died in hospital yesterday morning in a local hospital.

Men like Jack were the lifeblood of North East football spending thousands of hours on the touchlines of playing fields throughout the region, looking to spot the abundance of talented young footballers who graced the region and for whom our football clubs relied on for their special eye for identifying the football gems.

Our thoughts are with Jack’s family and friends at this sad time.

For a more comprehensive piece on Jack, go to Journal Live