A night on the Toon

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 16, 2005

Byline: By Sonia Sharma

Diehard Toon fans queued all night to get their hands on the club's new football strip.

The black and white home shirt, which the Magpies wore for the first time against Chelsea yesterday, went on sale at the official club shop at St James' Park at 6am today.

Hundreds of supporters filed outside the shop before it opened, some having waited overnight.

The first six people in the queue were given a free strip and the rest of the customers were treated to bacon butties and coffee in Shearer's Bar after they bought their shirts.

Michael Brown, 16, of Wark Avenue, North Shields, was the first in the line after queuing for around 17 hours.

The Monkseaton High School pupil said: "I just wanted to be among the first to pull on the new top.

"It was definitely worth waiting outside for so long. The strip is lovely and one of the best we have had in a while."

Also waiting in the cold since around 1pm yesterday were Johnny Watson, 15, of North Shields; Andrew Strain, 19, of Cowgate; and Paul Crosby, 34, a factory worker of North Shields.

Brenda McKenna, of Hebburn, won a new shirt through a radio competition.

Johnny, whose foot was in a plaster because of a football injury, said: "I have been waiting for 17 hours with a broken foot, all because I am a big Toon fan and want to support the club."

Mr Crosby said: "I was waiting since 10.30pm last night because I thought the doors would open at 12pm."

William Kennedy, 47, of Leadgate, near Consett, was there with his son Liam, 13, from 4.30am. Liam said: "We are just huge fans of the club. I have bought the full kit today and I love the new shirt."

United's kit sponsors adidas have once again produced the kit which has a traditional football styling including a new neck design.

The shirt incorporates the classic adidas three stripes along the arm.

For the first time, a new ladies' home shirt has been produced