I first went to St James’ Park in the early 1970s.

I took my son there for the first time ten years ago now.

We had seats in the Gallowgate. A Gallowgate that is incomparable to the Gallowgate End of the Seventies and Eighties.

When the New (East) Stand opened back in the ’70s, me, my mates and my brothers would pay our seventy five pennies to get in. We were happily rid of by our mams for the day. It was the East Stand Gallowgate paddock a short walk up the cobbled alley.

We would get to the ground and wait in an excited state for the doors to our afternoon escape to open. First people in the ground, with programmes in hand.

How times have changed from my Shoot League Ladder on my bedroom wall and Subbuteo collection, my lad now has the high tech football games and data on his iphone and ipad.

Today the “unfortunately” Newcastle United home tickets ballot email for the Brighton match arrived. My son took it on the chin.

Two home game successes this season and not holding our breath for the chance to “win” a ticket for West Ham.

I...