Broadcaster and author of The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football and Futebol Nation: The Story of Brazil through Soccer.

All football supporters, regardless of club allegiances or political beliefs, are cordially invited to an evening of informed discussion on the subject of fan engagement and fan involvement in football clubs. With a general election on the horizon, football fans are being courted with promises of jam tomorrow by the major parties. Can we trust professional politicians to deliver on these promises in an era of seemingly unending austerity? What can we demand from the establishment and, more importantly, what should we be prepared to accept?

David Goldblatt, author and contributor to, among others, The Observer, The Financial Times, New Statesman and New Left Review is in Newcastle on a fact-finding trip, to discover the reality of supporter opinion in the region, behind the tired clichés of much media reporting. All fans are welcome to the event, which is FREE to attend. 

All enquiries about this event and NUFC Fans United should be sent to [email protected] or @NUFCFansUtd 

Fans from Newcastle United and Sunderland call for “passion not poison” [IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

Supporters from both sides of the Tyne-Wear divide will meet on Tuesday 9th December to call for “passion not poison” ahead of this month’s derby.

“A Derby To Be Proud Of” will see individual fans, supporters’ groups, and fanzines come together seeking to maintain the “white hot” derby atmosphere, without the violence.

Last season fans from both sides stood side-by-side to oppose “bubble match” travel restrictions. That campaign was a success as the restrictions were overturned and the match took place with no major incidents.

That fan solidarity continued, albeit in tragic circumstances, following the deaths of Newcastle United fans John Alder and Liam Sweeney on Flight MH17. A fundraising page started by Sunderland fan Gary Ferguson raised an amazing £33,618. 

Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said:

“This isn’t about a happy-clappy, mutual love-in. Fans want to keep the derby day atmosphere as intense and passionate, even hostile, as ever. But it’s entirely possible to do that while rejecting violence, and it’s clear that’s the view of the overwhelming majority of supporters.

“Fans from both sides asked the FSF to help bring together the unique coalition which successfully overturned last year’s ‘bubble match’ restrictions, and this is a continuation of that work.

“Let’s keep the passion, but lose the poison.”

“A Derby To Be Proud Of” is supported by A Love Supreme, Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust, NUFC Fans United, nufc.com, Ready To Go, Roker Report, Seventy3, The Mag, True Faith, and Wise Men Say.

While the campaign was instigated by fans of both clubs, it also has the support of Newcastle United FC, Sunderland AFC and Northumbria Police.

Supporters will be entertained at the 9th December launch event by local comedian Gavin Webster, while ex-players Kevin Ball and Steve Howey will talk about their derby day experiences.

“A Derby To Be Proud Of” takes place at The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle, on Tuesday 9th December (7pm start). Entry is free but spaces are extremely limited, if you’d like to attend email [email protected] or call 0330 44 000 44.