Nominated by Tom Hastie Jeanette Hastie
I’m sure that I am no different to any other Newcastle United supporter who passes through the turnstile and enters St James’ park; experiencing the shiver down the spine, the air of anticipation, the excitement. It is something that I have lived off for over 40 years now, yet the buzz never changes. I love going to the match; love the buzz; love the black and white shirt; love the pride that being a Newcastle fan brings out in me week in week out. In that, I know I am not alone.
I have been a member of the interim committee since the inception of NUSC as an organisation and have been proud to mix with a group of supporters who stood up and challenged what was happening to our club. The development NUSC into one of the fastest growing supporters groups in the country has a lot to say about how this football club of ours cuts deep into all our lives and the passion that football brings out in all of us and although NUSC was borne out of circumstance, its evolvement into one of the biggest supporters Trusts in the country is testament to that passion.
I see the Trust as an organisation that represents its members at Local, National and International level that ensures supporters’ voices and concerns can be heard and listened to, that their opinions can be voiced and their position respected by all those with whom they make contact with within the football community; be it owners, chairmen, officials, the press or fellow supporters. I see it as a supporters’ organisation that works alongside fanzines, websites, forums and blogs that help keep Newcastle United supporters informed; providing them with a voice and an outlet for their views.
The need for supporter organisations such as NUST, have never been stronger. Football is entering into a period where the requirement for consultation between those who control the game and those who service and support it has never been greater. Supporters are the lifeblood of any football club and Owners, Chairmen and organisations like the FA, Premier and Football League, together with their respective commercial partners need this to be made abundantly clear to them. Supporters must be listened to, their views respected and their thoughts and opinion taken onboard. Without such, this great game of ours will be left in the hands of those who will ultimately destroy the game, its passion and the hopes and dreams of those who follow it. By standing together and using the collective desire to see our teams succeed, supporters have the ability to mould and shape the game for generations to come. I want NUST to be part of that shaping process.
It has been an honour to work as a volunteer member on the Interim Committee of NUST and I would be delighted to continue to represent the membership on the Committee if the membership see my presence as being worthy of their vote.
