Newcastle, England – Abeg, wetin dey happen for St James' Park? This Wednesday night, one man dey face serious wahala. Julen Izagirre, the die-hard fan wey sabi support both Newcastle United and Athletic Club, go sit down inside the away end for una match. As he go wear him Athletic colors, e go still dey hold Newcastle scarf for neck. E no go easy o!
“E dey confusing me well-well,” Julen gists before the Champions League clash wey everybody dey yan about. “I don watch Newcastle plenty times for home end, but dis one na my first time dey inside away end for ground wey I sabi both teams.” Which way go be his body when dem dey play? He dey fear say his love for both clubs go make am suffer pass enjoy.” (Wetin be life without drama, abi?)
This drama no be today matter o! Na since 1994 when Newcastle and Athletic meet last time, di bond don dey grow. Even though Julen dem just six years old for that 1994 match, di experience for San Mames stadium don stick for im head. His papa, Mikel, dey among dem fans wey rush enter pitch after Athletic win Newcastle 1-0. Di joy wey dey for that night dey shine till today.
Like say na family dem be, di feel good between di two fanbases no be small. Newcastle fans dey remember di sweet treats dem get when dem travel go Bilbao. “Dem no gree make we spend our money,” na wetin Tony Waters, one Newcastle supporter talk. “I was ready to chop and drink, but I come back with my money full for pocket!” (Naim be kolo, wetin be this level of hospitality?)
But wetin dey make both clubs connect no be only the love for their football. E also dey about di proud culture. Basques and Geordies be like twin brothers, passionate for their teams like say na dem blood dey run for di same family. Bilbao don collect British influence since di 19th century, na wetin Mikel Izagirre go yan. E sure say di presence of British miners and engineers don really blend culture during di early days.
No be small thing as Newcastle dey return to European football after di long break wey start since 1977. Di energy for di night dey high, make noise when all fans dey gather for San Mames. Karl Pedley still remember how police follow dem enter ground, but dem come chill as dem see di fun wey Newcastle fans dey enjoy. Even after dem lose di match, di Athletic fans no forget to give dem warm applause.
“Na only dem go weave hand and give you high five, like say dem don adopt you finish,” Karl talk. “Di way dem dey welcome us no be from this world! Imagine fans dey swap shirts and scarves, some Newcastle fans still dey rock red and white colors like say dem dey support Sunderland. Na why e strange o!”
De memories wey fans carry go home be as sweet as palm wine. Philip Long, one of di supporters, still cherish di Athletic shirt wey dem give am. “E dey my wardrobe with my other Newcastle shirts, and I no go fit throway am,” he talk. (Na level wey friendship too deep, une no fit break am!)
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