The enduring love affair between Newcastle and Athletic Club exposes the hypocrisy of football’s tribalism, blurring the lines between rivalry and friendship, challenging the very essence of local identity and belonging in a world torn apart by division and animosity.
The unique bond between Newcastle United and Athletic Club, which sparked a mutual appreciation that transcends football’s tribal nature, ignites a fascinating discussion on identity and community. This relationship was notably highlighted during their UEFA Cup encounter in 1994, a match that set the stage for a legacy of camaraderie that continues to resonate today.
Julen Izagirre, a passionate supporter of Athletic Club, represents a modern-day illustration of this connection. As he prepares to attend a Champions League match at St James’ Park wearing both his club’s colors and a Newcastle scarf, he grapples with the conflicting emotions of rooting for two beloved teams. His story encapsulates the extraordinary blend of local pride and international kinship that emerged from the 1994 UEFA Cup fixture.
That encounter was memorable not only for its competitive intensity but also for the unexpected bonds formed between the two sets of fans. Following a hard-fought first leg at St James’ Park, where Newcastle lost 1-0, the return leg at San Mamés became a melting pot of shared respect and admiration. Athletic fans celebrated their victory by applauding the travelling Newcastle supporters, a gesture that left an indelible mark on those in attendance. For many, including Izagirre’s father, Mikel, this moment marked the beginning of a love affair with Newcastle that would last a lifetime.
Players from both clubs also recognized the significance of the connection. Gontzal Suances, who was thrust into the spotlight during that tie, noted the beauty of being part of a narrative that intertwines his aspirations as a player with the shared story of Newcastle. The goal he scored during the first leg added a layer of personal significance to the encounter, illustrating how football can create narratives that bind communities across borders.
The warmth of the Athletic Club supporters was palpable, as noted by Newcastle fan Tony Waters, who fondly reminisces about how the locals refused to let him spend any money during his visit. This hospitality, coupled with a shared passion for football, created an atmosphere of goodwill that starkly contrasts the often confrontational nature of rivalries. The sentiment of “They wouldn’t let you spend anything” reflects the welcoming spirit that Athletic fans exhibited, where the joy of shared experiences outweighed the competitiveness typically associated with such matches.
The cultural parallels between the Basque region and the northeast of England further explain the affinity between the two fan bases. Both groups possess a strong local identity and a fierce loyalty to their clubs, often viewing football as an extension of their heritage. Mikel Izagirre remarks on Bilbao’s British cultural influences, highlighting how both cities share common traits that foster understanding and friendship. This cultural synergy has led to an appreciation that transcends the typical boundaries of football rivalry.
Newcastle’s return to European football in 1994 marked a significant moment in the club’s history, reviving a long-dormant competitive spirit following years of exclusion from continental competition. The atmosphere in Bilbao was charged yet friendly, with police presence ensuring safety, but the tension melted away as both sets of fans united in their love for the game. The moment was significant: the police intervention to guide Newcastle fans back into the streets became a shared experience, where Athletic fans were keen to connect rather than confront.
Supporter Karl Pedley’s recollections from that night add to the narrative. As he witnessed the police officers relaxing amidst the celebrations, he realized that the atmosphere was devoid of hostility, a rare phenomenon in football. The ensuing festivities where Athletic fans wanted to embrace their Newcastle counterparts symbolized a collective experience that resonated beyond the final score.
The exchange of chants between the two sets of fans created a unique atmosphere that further solidified their bond. Newcastle supporters introduced Athletic fans to their anthems, creating a shared soundtrack for the evening that echoed the spirit of collaboration over competition. The friendly banter and chants served to humanize both sets of supporters, making them more than just rival factions and instead emphasizing their common love for the game.
The swapping of shirts and scarves stood as a testament to this extraordinary connection—an act of solidarity that many fans would remember fondly. For Newcastle supporter Philip Long, the Athletic shirt he obtained remains a cherished memento, a symbol of a night when rivalries faded into the background, replaced instead by friendship. Such gestures embody the essence of football as an unifying force, capable of breaching the barriers of cultural and national divides.
As recent matches loom on the horizon, the legacy of that 1994 encounter continues to influence the relationship between Newcastle United and Athletic Club. The memories forged during those pivotal moments serve as a reminder of the power of sport to create bonds that endure over time. By reflecting on these connections, we find not just a story of football but a narrative about identity, belonging, and the potential for unity in a world often marked by division.
In a climate charged with animosity, the relationship between Newcastle and Athletic Club stands as a beacon of hope, challenging the prevailing narrative of rivalry within the sport. It serves as a reminder that at the heart of football lies a profound potential for connection and understanding, where the love of the game can foster friendships that last well beyond the final whistle.
It may well be a first at St James’ Park.
Though Julen Izagirre will be decked out in the colours of his beloved Athletic Club on Wednesday night, the Basque will also have a Newcastle United scarf draped around his neck.
"It’s so confusing for me," he said before the sides’ meeting in the Champions League.
"I have sat in the home end in all of the previous occasions I have watched Newcastle at St James’, but I will now be in the away end for the first time in a stadium where I support the local team too.
"I don’t know how I will feel when the game is being played because my feelings towards both clubs are so strong that I think I will suffer more than enjoy it. I don’t want either of them to lose."
This is the legacy of the clubs’ most recent competitive meeting, in 1994, which was at the heart of Izagirre "falling in love with Newcastle", after supporters struck up a strong bond.
Izagirre may have only been six at the time, but he felt the impact of that night after his father, Mikel, was among those in attendance at San Mames as Athletic fans invaded the pitch and applauded the away end following a 1-0 win.
It was a moment that even left a lasting impression on those who played in the Uefa Cup second-round tie, such as forward Gontzal Suances, who scored for Athletic in the first leg at St James’, before lining up for his boyhood club in the return fixture in Bilbao.
"It’s a joy that my dream of playing for Athletic is also linked to being part of a story as beautiful as the one forged with Newcastle," he said.
‘They wouldn’t let you spend anything’
The feeling was mutual.
Newcastle may have been knocked out, on away goals, but fan Tony Waters still speaks fondly about this particular trip because of the reception locals afforded the travelling support.
"They wouldn’t let you spend anything," he said. "I’m not joking. I’ve followed Newcastle all over Europe and I came back with as much money in my pocket as I went with.
"They were so kind and laid the red carpet out for us. They wouldn’t let you buy a drink."
The seeds had been planted on Tyneside a couple of weeks previously after Newcastle supporters gave their Spanish visitors a warm welcome.
Even Suances later learned how the fans had "bonded very well there", which led to Newcastle supporters being "repaid for everything they had given".
And it is easy to see why they got on.
Both Basques and Geordies have a proud local identity and are immensely passionate about their football clubs.
Bilbao is also a "very British city" in the words of Athletic supporter Mikel Izagirre, the father of Julen.
"You hear that comment all the time from different fans, different places," the 72-year-old said.
"You can see it if you walk through the city and if you visit San Mames and watch an Athletic game. Bilbao has a very strong British cultural influence."
‘It was as if they wanted to adopt a Geordie’
This was Newcastle’s first European campaign since 1977.
It was also their first since the ban on English clubs playing on the continent after the Heysel Stadium disaster had been lifted in 1990.
There was still a reasonable police presence in Bilbao on what was a national holiday.
Supporter Karl Pedley recalled how Newcastle fans were accompanied into San Mames by "full riot police, some of whom were armed".
However, just a few minutes into the game, he noticed how "a number of them had sat down with their helmets and pads off, and were enjoying what we were doing".
There was no edge, even after Newcastle were defeated 1-0, and Athletic fans invaded the pitch and sprinted towards the away end to applaud the travelling support.
Newcastle supporters responded by chanting "Athletic! Athletic! Athletic!" – but that was not the end of the matter.
"The police held us back for a short while and took us down a long concrete staircase into the main road," Pedley said. "All we could see at the bottom was this mass of red and white.
"They brought us down in single file and let us go. We thought ‘oh, here we go.’ But all the Athletic fans wanted to do was shake your hand, pat you on the back and take you to a bar. It was as if they were like ‘adopt a Geordie’.
"I don’t think there was anyone in a Newcastle United shirt who didn’t get fed and watered that night. They were just really appreciative that we were enjoying their city."
Chants were exchanged as Newcastle fans taught Athletic supporters – among others – "walking in a Keegan wonderland" and "he gets the ball and scores a goal, Andy, Andy Cole".
Shirts and scarves were even swapped and this remains, possibly, the only occasion where a number of Newcastle supporters wore red and white, which are also the colours of bitter rivals Sunderland.
One such Athletic shirt remains a cherished memento from an away day that Newcastle fan Philip Long will never forget.
"It’s still in the wardrobe with a couple hundred of my Newcastle tops," he said. "I’ll never let go of it."