Doug,
I remember from the early days going all the way down to the Wembley cup final with my dad in 1974, I turned around and there you were standing right next to me. What were the chances of that happening amongst 35,000 Geordies?That was the start of the ups and downs of being Newcastle supporters, which continued right up to the Ashley era when we’d finally had enough. We still watched them when we could though.
We even played football together from Swan Hunters in our late teens to the Newbiggin Hall pub and Comrades Club in our early 20’s, not forgetting many 5 aside sessions at Eldon Square. We also worked together in many different places both at home and abroad, making lots of great work mates along the way.
We had many great times together socially, enjoying lovely holidays with our wives, barbecues at your house, with you being in charge of the food, weekends away with the rest of the gang and lots of nights out in Tynemouth and the Town which always ended up with us all going for an Indians or a Chinese after several drinks. The Dragon House on Stowell Street was a favourite. There were too many good times to mention them all but we always had good fun and a right laugh.
So Doug, when you’re up there watching the Toon in your black and white top, make sure you keep a seat next to you with my name on.
You will be greatly missed.
John
John Cook
05/09/2023
