Milner quit Newcastle in August 2008 to join Aston Villa after a chequered four years on Tyneside, and many Toon fans were amazed City paid £26m for a player who was seen as "average - at best".
But, as we all know, former Toon stars often come back to haunt us.
Bellamy, Faye, Cole, Ginola, Bramble, Bowyer, Solano, etc. are some off the top of my head, and you can put money on Owen and N'Zogbia doing the same sometime years to come.
Milner played his heart out for Aston Villa on the day that United were relegated at Villa Park, but we cannot really put any blame on him for that - if only Michael Owen had done the same!
Hughton: “It’s certainly about us and what we can get out of the game.
“It’s not about former players or people who once played for us.
“They choose to play elsewhere and that was their decision.
“For us it is very much about the ones who are wearing the black-and-white shirts on the day.
“That’s the only thing we’re focusing on and not past players.
“All you can ask from the players is to move on to the next game. It was a big disappointment (losing to Stoke), but the next big game is just around the corner.
“That’s why we’re happy to focus on the next game.
“Don’t forget that we’re a team that has just been promoted.
“Therefore we know there will be highs and lows.
“We’ve just had two big highs at Everton and then Chelsea in the Carling Cup.
“Then against Stoke we had a big low.
“But those are the sort of games this division will throw at you.”
2008/9 MAN CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 1
MAN CITY: Hart, Richards, Onuoha, Kompany, Bridge, Zabaleta (Fernandes 82), Ireland, De Jong (Elano 78), right-Phillips (Caicedo 90), Robinho, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Vassell, Jo, Garrido.
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Edgar, Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Geremi (LuaLua 90), Barton (Lovenkrands 64), Coloccini, Duff, wen (Gutierrez 19), Carroll. Subs Not Used: Forster, Xisco, Donaldson, Inman.
Att: 42,280
Record signing Robinho and new arrival Craig Bellamy both paid the first instalment of a debt to manager Mark Hughes by ensuring a Manchester City win against ailing Newcastle.
Hughes has patched up his differences with Robinho, who has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, and was rewarded by the Brazilian setting up Shaun Wright-Phillips for City's opener.
Then Bellamy, snapped up for £10million from West Ham by a boss who believes there is far more to his countryman than a short fuse, sealed victory with a neat turn and finish on his debut.
It eases City into mid-table but leaves Newcastle deep in the mire, with star striker Michael Owen facing another spell on the sidelines after limping off just 18 minutes into the game.
There were so many sub-plots to talk about it hardly mattered the opening period brought almost nothing worthwhile to discuss.
Confirmation of Shay Given's knee injury was hardly a surprise as it would allow any discussions that take place between Newcastle - whose owner Mike Ashley was at the game - and City to continue without the inconvenience of the Irishman playing for his current team against the one who want him.
In turn, City know all about Joey Barton, who was making his first appearance against them since moving to the north-east, citing a lack of ambition in the Blues camp.
To Hughes, the decision to select Robinho, his best player, was straightforward. Yet it was still a brave move and asked a basic question of the former Real Madrid man's mental state.
Yet if Robinho is slight in stature, his attitude is strong.
Having apparently made peace with Hughes, he then got any remaining waverers in the City support back onside with a deft through-ball which allowed Wright-Phillips to drive a shot through Steve Harper's legs and put the hosts in front.
In truth, it was by far the best moment of a tepid opening period in which City debutants Craig Bellamy and Nigel de Jong buzzed about effectively without being able to assist their team-mates in making the most of their dominance.
Lacklustre as City were, they were a cut above Newcastle, who were truly awful.
The loss of Michael Owen just after Wright-Phillips' goal when he jarred his leg after leaping for an aerial collision with Nedum Onuoha hardly helped.
But Joe Kinnear does not have much time to build a team capable of escaping relegation trouble and this one might not.
They did at least force Joe Hart into a save in the opening minutes of the second half, although Damien Duff's long-range shot was ambitious at best.
Newcastle were cursing when rookie referee Mike Jones failed to rule Micah Richards' challenge on Steven Taylor a foul even though the City defender had been caught badly out of position when Duff floated over the cross which was about to be powered home until Taylor hit the deck.
But Bellamy and Wright-Phillips felt they should have been similarly rewarded at the other end by Jones, a veteran of only five previous top flight games.
And there was no need for debate 13 minutes from time when Pablo Zabaleta strode onto Wright-Phillips' pass and then found Bellamy.
Bellamy seized his opportunity, twisting and turning on the edge of the box before sending a precise shot past Harper.
Three minutes later, Wayne Bridge allowed David Edgar to rob him close to the penalty area and the youngster wasted no time in providing Carroll with a tap-in - but City ended worthy winners.
NEWCASTLE v MAN CITY - THE HISTORY
2008/2009 Wed 28 Jan Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premier League
Mon 20 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Man. City Premier League
2007/2008 Wed 02 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Man. City Premier League
Sat 29 Sep Man. City 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premier League
2006/2007 Sat 31 Mar Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man. City Premiership
Sat 11 Nov Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
2005/2006 Wed 01 Feb Man. City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 24 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City Premiership
2004/2005 Wed 02 Feb Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sun 24 Oct Newcastle Utd. 4 - 3 Man. City Premiership
2003/2004 Sat 01 May Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 22 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Man. City Premiership
2002/2003 Sat 18 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City Premiership
Sat 24 Aug Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
2001/2002 Sun 17 Feb Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City F.A. Cup
2000/2001 Sat 24 Feb Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man. City Premiership
Sat 30 Sep Man. City 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1995/1996 Sat 24 Feb Man. City 3 - 3 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 16 Sep Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City Premiership
1994/1995 Sat 29 Apr Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sun 19 Feb Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City F.A. Cup
Mon 02 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City Premiership
Wed 21 Dec Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Man. City League Cup
Wed 30 Nov Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. League Cup
1993/1994 Sat 09 Apr Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City Premiership
1986/1987 Sat 21 Mar Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 11 Oct Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division
1985/1986 Sat 26 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 23 Nov Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1983/1984 Sat 18 Feb Man. City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 29 Oct Newcastle Utd. 5 - 0 Man. City Second Division
1977/1978 Wed 29 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division
Mon 26 Dec Man. City 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1976/1977 Wed 16 Feb Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division
Sat 29 Jan Newcastle Utd. 1 - 3 Man. City F.A. Cup
Sat 06 Nov Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1975/1976 Wed 14 Apr Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 28 Feb Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. League Cup
played at Wembley
Sat 30 Aug Man. City 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1974/1975 Sat 18 Jan Man. City 5 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 04 Jan Man. City 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
Sat 30 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division
1973/1974 Wed 27 Mar Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 13 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division
1972/1973 Wed 18 Apr Man. City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 23 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division
1971/1972 Sat 25 Mar Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 11 Sep Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1970/1971 Mon 12 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 03 Oct Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1969/1970 Wed 08 Oct Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 16 Aug Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division
1968/1969 Mon 05 May Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Wed 29 Jan Man. City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
Sat 25 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City F.A. Cup
Sat 16 Nov Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division
1967/1968 Sat 11 May Newcastle Utd. 3 - 4 Man. City First Division
Wed 06 Sep Man. City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1966/1967 Sat 05 Nov Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 15 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
1964/1965 Sat 24 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City Second Division
Wed 14 Oct Man. City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1963/1964 Sat 04 Apr Man. City 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 23 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City Second Division
1960/1961 Sat 21 Jan Man. City 3 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 10 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 3 Man. City First Division
1959/1960 Sat 30 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 28 Nov Man. City 3 - 4 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1958/1959 Sat 14 Mar Man. City 5 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 25 Oct Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Man. City First Division
1957/1958 Mon 14 Apr Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Man. City First Division
Mon 07 Apr Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1956/1957 Sat 02 Mar Man. City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Wed 09 Jan Man. City 4 - 5 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes ?-?
Sat 05 Jan Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Man. City F.A. Cup
Sat 20 Oct Newcastle Utd. 0 - 3 Man. City First Division
1955/1956 Sat 07 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 26 Nov Man. City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1954/1955 Sat 07 May Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City F.A. Cup
played at Wembley
Mon 27 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 25 Dec Man. City 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1953/1954 Sat 03 Apr Newcastle Utd. 4 - 3 Man. City First Division
Sat 14 Nov Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1952/1953 Sat 14 Feb Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 27 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
1951/1952 Sat 12 Apr Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 24 Nov Man. City 2 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1949/1950 Sat 21 Jan Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 17 Sep Newcastle Utd. 4 - 2 Man. City First Division
1948/1949 Sat 19 Feb Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 25 Sep Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City First Division
1946/1947 Sat 03 May Man. City 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 26 Oct Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Man. City Second Division
1938/1939 Sat 08 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 2 Man. City Second Division
Sat 03 Dec Man. City 4 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1933/1934 Wed 21 Mar Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 07 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division
1932/1933 Sat 01 Apr Man. City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 19 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
1931/1932 Sat 05 Mar Man. City 5 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 24 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division
1930/1931 Sat 11 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 06 Dec Man. City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1929/1930 Sat 22 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division
Sat 16 Nov Man. City 3 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1928/1929 Sat 23 Mar Newcastle Utd. 4 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 10 Nov Man. City 2 - 4 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1925/1926 Sat 01 May Newcastle Utd. 3 - 2 Man. City First Division
Sat 19 Dec Man. City 2 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1924/1925 Sat 24 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 20 Sep Man. City 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1923/1924 Sat 29 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City F.A. Cup
played at Birmingham
Sat 10 Nov Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 03 Nov Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1922/1923 Sat 05 May Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 28 Apr Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1921/1922 Sat 06 May Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 29 Apr Newcastle Utd. 5 - 1 Man. City First Division
1920/1921 Sat 07 May Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division
Mon 02 May Man. City 3 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1919/1920 Sat 24 Apr Man. City 0 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 17 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Man. City First Division
1914/1915 Sat 13 Feb Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 10 Oct Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1913/1914 Mon 13 Apr Man. City 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Thu 01 Jan Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man. City First Division
1912/1913 Sat 15 Feb Newcastle Utd. 0 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 12 Oct Man. City 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1911/1912 Sat 27 Jan Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 23 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division
1910/1911 Sat 29 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 3 Man. City First Division
Sat 24 Dec Man. City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1908/1909 Sat 27 Feb Man. City 0 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 24 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
1907/1908 Sat 15 Feb Newcastle Utd. 1 - 1 Man. City First Division
Sat 19 Oct Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1906/1907 Sat 16 Feb Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 13 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
1905/1906 Tue 26 Dec Man. City 1 - 4 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Wed 06 Sep Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Man. City First Division
1904/1905 Sat 28 Jan Man. City 3 - 2 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 01 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City First Division
1903/1904 Fri 01 Apr Man. City 1 - 3 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 10 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Man. City First Division
1901/1902 Sat 08 Mar Man. City 2 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 09 Nov Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Man. City First Division
1900/1901 Sat 20 Apr Man. City 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. First Division
Sat 15 Dec Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Man. City First Division
1899/1900 Fri 13 Apr Newcastle Utd. 0 - 0 Man. City First Division
Sat 14 Oct Man. City 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. First Division
1897/1898 Wed 16 Mar Newcastle Utd. 2 - 0 Man. City Second Division
Sat 08 Jan Man. City 1 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1896/1897 Sat 06 Feb Newcastle Utd. 3 - 0 Man. City Second Division
Sat 17 Oct Man. City 1 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1895/1896 Sat 21 Mar Newcastle Utd. 4 - 1 Man. City Second Division
Sat 04 Jan Man. City 5 - 2 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
1894/1895 Sat 09 Feb Man. City 4 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
Sat 27 Oct Newcastle Utd. 5 - 4 Man. City Second Division
1893/1894 Sat 06 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Ardwick Second Division
Sat 21 Oct Ardwick 2 - 3 Newcastle Utd. Second Division
NEWCASTLE UTD MAD
CONTACT US: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
City of Manchester Stadium
Directions & Car Parking
The stadium is located in the North East of Manchester.
From the South M6:
Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and follow the A556 towards Stockport and then join the M56 going towards Stockport. Continue onto the M60 passing Stockport and heading on towards Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right.
From The M62:
Leave the M62 at Junction 18 and then join the M60 Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right.
Whilst Iain Macintosh informs me; 'I find this an easier route to the ground; Leave the M60 at Junction 24 and take the A57 (Hyde Road) towards Manchester. Turn right onto the A6010 (Pottery Lane). There are quite a number of unofficial car parks on both sides of Pottery Lane, costing around �5 per car. Pottery Lane becomes the Alan Turing Way and goes right past the stadium on your left'.
Car Parking:
There is some parking available at the stadium itself which costs �5 per car. The East Car Park is nearest to the away entrance. Please be aware that there is a residents only parking scheme in place in the streets near to the ground, which extends about a mile out from the stadium. So if you want to street park, it means parking further away and then walking to the stadium. Some unofficial car parks have sprung up mostly charging around £5 per car. Terry Ireland a visiting Chelsea fan adds; 'Plenty of car parking spaces were available when we arrived at the stadium around two hours before kick off. However, getting out after the game was a joke. It's a little like a free for all and took us nearly an hour to exit the car park and be on our way. Meanwhile the unofficial car parks, all but 400 yards away, had cleared, been locked-up and were long gone by the time we passed them on our way home. And they cost the same to park!'
Peter Llewellyn informs me; 'The road links are busy even on non-match days so make sure you allow plenty of time. The stadium is part of Sportcity so car users should follow the brown Sportcity signs until near the stadium'.
By Train
The closest train station is Ashburys which is a short five minute train ride away from Manchester Piccadilly Station. The stadium is about a 15 minute walk away from Ashburys station. As you come out of the station turn left and after proceeding up the road you will come to the stadium on your left.
Otherwise if you have time on your hands then you can embark on the 20/25 minute walk from Piccadilly Station to the stadium. At the bottom of the main station approach turn right into Ducie Street. At the end of the road turn right onto Great Ancoats Street. Cross over the road, then the canal and turn left into Pollard Street - this is well marked as a walking route to "Sportcity". Continue straight along Pollard Street which leads onto the A662 Ashton New Road and you will come to the stadium on your left.
A shorter route from the station is to use the new exit to Fairfield Street (the taxi rank). As you come off the platforms, it’s in the left hand corner of the main concourse. Lifts or escalators down. (There’s also an exit from the little concourse off the bridge near platforms 13/14.) At the street exit head toward the railway over bridge, under that, then left again under the railway (Travis Street continuing into Adair Street), left at the end and right into Pollard Street (then as above).
Alternatively you can get a taxi from Piccadilly Station (around £4.50) or a bus from Piccadilly Gardens - Go down the main approach from the station, then along London Road to Piccadilly Gardens; normal service and special matchday buses leave from the right hand side of the square (between Lever Street and Oldham Street) - £1 each way. 216 and 217 the main service buses, but 185, 186, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, X36 and X37 also go from the city centre to the stadium (and 53 and 54 from the city's ring road). On the return, the special buses leave from Ashton New Road just across from the away end.
Away Fans
Away fans are located in one side of the South Stand at one end of the ground, in both the upper and lower tiers, where up to 3,000 fans can be accommodated (4,500 for cup games). The view of the action is pretty impressive although the leg room is a little tight. The facilities are also pretty good with spacious concourses, large plasma flat television screens showing the game and a good selection of food on offer.
Atmosphere within the stadium is a bit 'hit and miss' at times. I did hear though on my last visit one very good rendition of the Man City fans anthem 'Blue Moon'. My only real complaint was the lack of distance between the home and away supporters. Only a few seats and a row of stewards stood in-between the two sets of fans, which led to a lot of unpleasant baiting between the two. And of course it was always the away fans who were adjudged to be causing the problems by the stewards (although I'm sure that if I visited on another occasion I probably would have seen the same Man City fans baiting in the same manner) and this led a number of away fans on my visit being escorted out of the stadium. After the game has finished fans are kept apart immediately outside via a large fence which is erected by the Police, which seems to lead to a lot of exchanges of unpleasant abuse. Some away fans have suggested that it may be best to keep colours covered on making your way back to your transport. It is also worth noting that entrance to the stadium is gained by placing your ticket into an electronic reader, which normally causes confusion to some fans. Please note that you are likely to be searched by stewards at the turnstile entrance.
Where To Drink
There are not a great deal of pubs around the stadium, and the few available are predominantly for home support. However, 'The Stanley' (aka Sports Bar) pub does let in away fans in small numbers. It is about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, just set back from the main A6010 (Pottery Lane) , going towards Ashburys train station. The easiest way to find it is to locate the large Asda store behind one side of the stadium (there is also a McDonalds outlet next door to the store, plus there is a cafe located inside it) and on facing the superstore turn right and proceed down the main road, you will come to the pub on the left. It does cost £1 for adults to enter the pub, (they even stamp your hand as if you were entering a night club) but children are at least admitted free. Inside there is a large screen showing SKY Sports, good service and a good mix of home and away support.
Alan Finneran informs me; 'I would recommend the Townley on Albert Street, which is only a five minute walk away from the stadium. The pub has a good atmopshere and as long as away fans arrive early and are discrete (i.e. no colours) then they should be okay. Also the Manchester City Supporters Club have their own City Social bar opposite the North Stand. I have seen opposition supporters in there now and again, so if you are a member of your own team's supporters club, then your branch secretary may be able to arrange a visit to the Social bar in advance'.
Dave Clinton adds; 'If you want a pint beforehand then it is probably best to drink in the city centre. My tip, would be to head to the Printworks in Manchester, near Victoria station. There is a connecting tram service from Piccadilly. There are loads of pubs at the Printworks, with plenty of choice of food. The pubs around Piccadilly itself are not too clever. However Deansgate or around the Town Hall, would be a good place to head for if you are taking in the City centre. This is about a 30 minute walk away from the stadium'. A taxi to the ground would then cost in the region of £7.
Chris Fogarty warns; 'away fans should avoid the Queen Victoria pub at the bottom of Grey Mare Lane'. Also Mary D's on Grey Mare Lane is also not recommended for away supporters as well as pubs on Ashton New Road (both these roads are in the area behind the away end of the stadium). Otherwise alcohol is available inside the stadium (Singha £3.50, Fosters £3.20, Strongbow £3.20, John Smiths bitter £3) .
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2010/11
PREMIERSHIP
NEWCASTLE 1 STOKE CITY 2 (Nolan pen)
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 62), Barton, Tiote (Ameobi 74), Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.
EVERTON 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ben Arfa)
Harper (Krul 35), Perch, Coloccini, Williamson,Jose Enrique, Routledge, Tiote, Barton,Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 84), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 0 BLACKPOOL 2
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 81), Smith (Lovenkrands 62), Barton, Gutierrez (Ben Arfa 73), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Ryan Taylor, Tiote.
WOLVES 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Barton, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll (Ameobi 81).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Vuckic, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 6 ASTON VILLA 0 (Barton, Nolan 2, Carroll 3)
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 76), Smith (Ryan Taylor 76), Barton, Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Tavernier.
MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Nolan (Ameobi 71), Barton,Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier.
CARLING CUP
CHELSEA 3 NEWCASTLE 4 (Ranger, R Taylor, Ameobi 2)
Krul, Ryan Taylor (Tiote 63), Campbell, Coloccini (Williamson 63), Ferguson (Barton 90), Ranger, Gutierrez, Vuckic, Smith, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Nolan, Carroll, Ben Arfa.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 NEWCASTLE 3 (Ryan Taylor, Ameobi, Lovenkrands)
Krul, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Tavernier, Ferguson, Ranger, Donaldson, Vuckic (Nolan 90), LuaLua, Ameobi,Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Williamson, Barton, Routledge, Perch, Smith.
PRE-SEASON
CARLISLE 0 NEWCASTLE 3 (Best, Ranger, Vuckic)
Harper (Krul 46), Tavernier (R Taylor 46), Coloccini (S Taylor 46) (Henderson 81), Williamson (Perch 46), Enrique (Ferguson 46), Inman (Routledge 46), Smith (Barton 46), Nolan (Guthrie 46), LuaLua (Vuckic 46) , Carroll (Best 46), Lovenkrands (Ranger 46).
NORWICH CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Krul, Taylor (Routledge 45), Tavernier, Coloccini (Williamson 45), Diaz (Ferguson 57); Ranger (Xisco 45), Barton (Smith 45), Nolan (Guthrie 45), Vuckic (Edmundsson 72); Best (Lovenkrands 45), Carroll (Ameobi 45).
NEWCASTLE 2 PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (R.Taylor, Best)
Harper, Perch, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Carroll, Xisco, Best, LuaLua, Krul, Vuckic, Ranger, Donaldson, Tavernier.
DEPORTIVO 0 NEWCASTLE 0 (NUFC win 5-4 on penalties - Lovenkrands, Nolan, Carroll, R Taylor, Barton)
Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson
RANGERS 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Harper; Perch (Tavernier 81), Coloccini (Ferguson 81), Williamson, Enrique (R Taylor 56); Routledge (Xisco 83), Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 69); Carroll (Ameobi 46).