'The best' - Eddie Howe addresses controversial St James' Park change that has divided Newcastle United fans
Newcastle United have confirmed a potentially divisive change at St James’ Park as Eddie Howe addressed it in his pre-match press conference.
Eddie Howe addressed Newcastle United’s controversial decision to drop ‘Local Hero’ as the club’s walkout song on matchdays at St James’ Park.
A request was made by the players and coaching staff to swap ‘Local Hero’ and have it played prior to the players entering the pitch with a remixed version of The Blaydon Races welcoming the teams onto the pitch instead.
The popular Tyneside anthem is regularly chanted in the stands and has been a staple of the matchday playlist at St James’ Park for years.
Mark Knopfler’s ‘Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero,’ was released in 1983 but had welcomed Newcastle United players onto the pitch at St James’ Park since the early 90s. Though the song’s lack of lyrics has been cited as an issue for the pre-match atmosphere build-up, according to a Wor Flags statement.
Recent matches at St James’ Park have featured a different running order of songs, and the obligatory inclusion of the Champions League and Premier League themes has scuppered the traditional song build-up on a matchday over the past few seasons.
The change was obvious before Newcastle’s 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club at St James’ Park on Wednesday night though the jury is out as to whether it was a success.
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Ahead of Wednesday’s match, a statement from Wor Flags read: "Many have noticed a change in the order of songs pre-match at St James’ Park in the last couple of weeks.
"The club have told us the decision to swap Local Hero with the Blaydon Races before kick-off was done primarily at the request of the players and coaching staff, who want to hear the fans singing right at kick-off, which is not possible with Local Hero but is with The Blaydon Races!
"So whilst honouring the tradition of those two songs, the club have swapped them round so that Local Hero plays before the team emerge and The Blaydon Races before kick-off.
"It’s up to us to live up to that request and belt out the Blaydon Races and also carry it into the game. Massive game tomorrow night. Bring your scarf, get it twirling, get behind the lads. Howay Newcastle!"
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Eddie Howe comments on Local Hero change
When asked about the change in pre-match tradition at St James’ Park, Howe said: “I can give you what I know. I'm not directly involved in those discussions, especially with the schedule that we have.
“I've been putting all my focus on the team. But I know there has been discussions to the pre-match sort of environment and making sure that it's the best it can be.
“And we're constantly evaluating that to try and make sure it's the best experience, not just for the supporters, but for the players. So I think there were a few tweaks made.
“Obviously, I'm not out there at that moment. So I'm not really the best person to judge whether that's a success or not. I know there's been a few tweaks. Hopefully, everyone's enjoying the changes.”
The decision to change has been met with a mixed response from supporters with many taking to social media to voice their frustration. Some don’t necessarily have an issue with the change, though would want a slower, more traditional version of The Blaydon Races song to be used, which is easier to sing along to.