Our Man In Oman

Welcome to The Mag Blog, an opportunity for you – toon fans everywhere – to have your say on what is going on at our club, either by submitting a blog article or making comment on posted articles. We want to hear from you about any issues relevant to Newcastle United and the supporters, it’s all fair game…..

So, midway through season 2010 – 2011, I have an opportunity to work in the Middle East.

Great;  adventure, career development and decent money to pay bills, clear debt, plus keep decent roof over family’s heads.

One problem, no Toon matches anymore for a while.  What a dilemma!!  For the sake of my family I go to Middle East.

Initially in Saudi it’s bloody hard, hardly see the Toon, get some dodgy streams on Internet but that’s it.  Now I’m in Oman, I have subscribed to Abu Dhabi sports and get every single premier league game for 90 omani rials (that’s circa £150 – how much are sky ripping your eyes out in UK !!!).

So at the moment it’s a 4hr time difference, so I finish work, get home, sit in front of my large screen tv, crack open a bottle / can, then jump up and down on my own (no shutter in the south east corner to batter away at).  At times it’s agonizing; shouting and arguing with myself, I’m sure I’m going nuts.  The Danish and Indian neighbours must think who the f*** is this knacker!

At work it’s even harder as there are only a handful of real footie fans.  Most of them don’t understand what passion in football is all about.  When I ask them if they are going to watch their team they say ‘oh no I don’t finish until such a time’. Well f***ing come in earlier then so you can get away on time to watch match!!!!

The Toon’s start has been brilliant and helps to keep my spirits going but I do so miss matchday.  Getting up, the expectation, brekkie, into town, drink (ah the Beehive and its sticky floor and special aroma around the bar), the match, the crack, more beer, more crack, food and watching MOTD with one eye open and one shut whilst the missus says ‘will you go to bed’!!!

Can’t wait for xmas though, I’m back for three weeks and get to see three games, tickets are bought, so I’ll get to sample the delights of the Beehive on three occasions – wow how lucky am I !!!

Rest of the season?  The players continue to play well, we don’t sell Colo / Krul / Tiote in Jan, the fans back the team at all times and we finish in top 7.

That’s all for now, The Mag’s man in Oman checking out.