1. Drums
They love a bit of percussion on the continent. Each club Newcastle faced brought a designated sticksman with them to Newcastle who led a march through the city and up to the stadium before the thigh-burn of the St. James’ Park away end.
An incessant rumble and beat soundtracked every game home and away. I found it weirdly hypnotic and it gave the games a proper European feel, which was brilliant. Dortmund’s drums genuinely took a bit of the edge off the home support during their visit. Like a constant reminder to their players that they’re were there, up in the gods.
Some English clubs have tried to introduce drums at their home games, but it jars with me and feels somehow inauthentic over here. So this isn’t a plea for Newcastle to introduce ‘Wor Drums’. Wor Flags will suffice.
