But although the atmosphere inside the ground was friendly and fun - despite a crap match - the tension was very intimidating (for some) around the bars.
Wetherspoons was full of Toon fans, with inexpensive beer prices obviously a big attraction. But there was an uneasy feeling about the place, as the Gremlins filled the place with Burberry and a sense that something had been "arranged" with the local Donny nutters.
We left to visit the real ale bar 'The Tut and Shive' and found the place lively, but a little bit easier going.
We took a taxi to the Beefeater, next to the ground, and the taxi driver said there was a mass brawl outside Wetherspoons ... obviously just after we'd left.
It seemed as though something was on the cards, and I still cannot say what started it, or who was involved.
The Beefeater was three-deep at the bar, and it was a relief to get inside the ground.
United's No 46 had us all confused, and there were many funny chants directed at him. Very much like Stuart Pearce's testimonial when whe travelled to the City Ground back in 1996. We had a Forest goalkeeper playing on the wing ... and no-one knew who the hell he was.
The No 46 was actually Metz defender Sebastien Bassong who is on trial.
Wetherspoons was full of Toon fans, with inexpensive beer prices obviously a big attraction. But there was an uneasy feeling about the place, as the Gremlins filled the place with Burberry and a sense that something had been "arranged" with the local Donny nutters.
We left to visit the real ale bar 'The Tut and Shive' and found the place lively, but a little bit easier going.
We took a taxi to the Beefeater, next to the ground, and the taxi driver said there was a mass brawl outside Wetherspoons ... obviously just after we'd left.
It seemed as though something was on the cards, and I still cannot say what started it, or who was involved.
The Beefeater was three-deep at the bar, and it was a relief to get inside the ground.
United's No 46 had us all confused, and there were many funny chants directed at him. Very much like Stuart Pearce's testimonial when whe travelled to the City Ground back in 1996. We had a Forest goalkeeper playing on the wing ... and no-one knew who the hell he was.
The No 46 was actually Metz defender Sebastien Bassong who is on trial.
Toon fans sang: "Who Are Yer?" and "Number 46, nobody knows your name."
All in all, a good day out ... if it wasn't for the 90 minutes of football that was a joke.
Newcastle slipped to their first defeat of pre-season when Stuart Elliott won the game with three minutes remaining at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Coca-Cola Championship side claimed victory after Jose Enrique showed hesitancy in the 87th minute which allowed Elliott to steal in and curl the ball round United goalkeeper Tim Krul.