Nolan’s gratitude to fantastic Newcastle fans

Sep 12 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THE sheer fanaticism of Newcastle United’s supporters has provided midfielder Kevin Nolan with an extra source of motivation.

During a near-10-year career at Bolton Wanderers Nolan became used to playing in front of pitiful crowds. But Newcastle are averaging a fraction under 40,000 for second-tier football this season and will tomorrow give Cardiff City’s new home its first sell-out.

Little wonder manager Dave Jones this week described the Magpies as “a Premier League club in this division”. “I’ve never had a go at the fans, even if they’ve booed me or given me abuse,” says Nolan. “I just admire them for the loyalty they’ve shown the club and the passion they bring. We have to thank the fans every day for their support.

“We’re averaging nearly 40,000 and we sell out every away ground wherever we go. That’s the way these fanatical fans are.

“Sam (Allardyce) at Bolton said, ‘If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for your family.’ But when you come up here, you can add the fans to that list as well. They work hard to come and watch us, and to try to have a good weekend, and they’ve probably not had many of those for a while.

“Hopefully, during the last month, they’ve had something to smile about.

“I hope things get sorted and we can get this great football club back to where it belongs.”

Not that Nolan believes it is a given with such support.

“No disrespect, but we could end up like a Leeds, Charlton or Southampton unless we get things right,” he warned.

“The club has been at the top for a long time, but it doesn’t mean if you spend a lot of money on the best players, you have a divine right to be in the Premier League.

“We proved that last year. Now it’s about us making sure we get back up there.”

And although the season has started with a draw and five straight wins, Nolan is quick to guard against complacency.

“You don’t ever win titles or anything in the first month of the season,” he warns. “We’ve made a great start, but there is so long to go. We have to prove ourselves again and again and again.”