Newcastle Athletic Bilbao Fan Bond: Red & White Friendship That Defied Rivalry

Key Points

• Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: born 1994 UEFA Cup, lives 31 years later.
• Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: Basque fans applauded Geordies after 1-0 win.
• Geordies taught “Andy Cole” chant; Basques paid every pint.
• Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: Wednesday CL reunion – Julen Izagirre wears both scarves.
• Only time Newcastle fans happily wore red & white (and meant it).

1994 Magic

Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: greatest away day ever.

2025 Reunion

Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: St James’ Park, Wednesday 8pm.

Newcastle Athletic Bilbao Fan Bond: The Full Story Behind Football’s Purest Friendship

A Six-Year-Old’s Destiny

Julen Izagirre was six when Athletic beat Newcastle 1-0 in San Mamés, October 1994. His dad Mikel came home speechless. “He told me the Athletic fans ran onto the pitch – not to celebrate, but to clap the Newcastle fans,” Julen remembers. That night, a Basque boy fell in love with a club 1,200 miles away. Fast-forward to Wednesday: Julen will sit in the away end at St James’ Park wearing an Athletic shirt and a Newcastle scarf. “It’s so confusing for me,” he laughs. Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: still unbreakable.

The Night Everything Changed

First leg: St James’ Park, September 1994 – Newcastle’s first European night since 1977. Geordies welcomed 2,000 Basques with open arms. Two weeks later in Bilbao, the favour was returned tenfold.

Tony Waters, lifelong Magpie: “I’ve followed Newcastle everywhere. I came home from Bilbao with more money than I left with. They refused to let us buy a single drink.”

Karl Pedley: “Riot police escorted us in. Ten minutes later they were sitting on the wall, helmets off, clapping with us.”

After Athletic’s 1-0 win (3-2 aggregate), 3,000 Basques invaded the pitch – to applaud the 1,800 travelling Geordies. Newcastle fans responded: “Athletic! Athletic! Athletic!” Police held the away end back for safety. When the gates opened, Pedley braced for trouble. Instead: “Single file down the stairs into a sea of red and white. Every Basque wanted to shake our hands and take us to the bar. Adopt-a-Geordie.” Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: born in 90 seconds.

Why It Happened

Two working-class cities, one shared heartbeat:

• Fierce local pride (Geordie / Basque)
• Industrial DNA – Tyneside ships carried coal to Bilbao; Bilbao steel went north
• British engineers founded Athletic Club in 1898 – hence “Athletic” not “Atlético”
• Both sets of fans hate Madrid clubs more than each other

Result? Instant chemistry.

The Red & White Miracle

Newcastle fans wearing red and white is normally sacrilege (Sunderland colours). That night in Bilbao, hundreds swapped shirts happily. Philip Long still owns his Athletic top: “Hangs with 200 Newcastle shirts. Proudest one in the wardrobe.” Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond: only acceptable red-and-white in history.

Players Felt It Too

Gontzal Suances scored for Athletic in both legs. “My dream was to play for Athletic. Now that dream is tied forever to this beautiful story with Newcastle fans.”

Wednesday: The Emotional Return

31 years later, Champions League, St James’ Park.

• Julen Izagirre: Athletic shirt + Newcastle scarf
• 3,000 Basques expected in Gallowgate
• Pre-match meet-up already 800+ confirmed
• Both clubs releasing joint scarves

Julen: “I’ve sat in the Leazes End every time I’ve visited. Wednesday I’ll be in the away end for the first time – cheering for both.”

Key Moments: Newcastle Athletic Bilbao Fan Bond Timeline

Looking Ahead

Newcastle Athletic Bilbao fan bond proves football’s greatest victories aren’t always on the pitch. Wednesday night, 52,000 Geordies and 3,000 Basques will remind the world what the game is really about. 

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