FAN - derived from modern Latin fanaticus, meaning “insanely but divinely inspired”.
The chants rang out from the terraces - “We want you to stay, we want you to stay, Rafa Benitez - we want you to stay!”
“Dad, you cannot leave these people”, Claudia and Agata Benitez allegedly told their father. “They love you. You have to stay.”
And stay he did.
“The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence in my decision,” he said. “This is a massive club and I want to be a part of it.”
From Champions League winner and football superstars Real Madrid to the Toon, Rafa Benitez stayed because of one thing... the black and white army - THE NUFC FANS.
THIS IS A LOVE LETTER TO THE FANS of NUFC, wherever they may be. Who are these fans? What makes them really tick? Why do they do it? How do they do it? What are their hopes and dreams for themselves as well as their beloved football team.
With unprecedented access to Newcastle United Football Club and supporters, we intend to capture the unique experience of supporting newly relegated NUFC during their unpredictable campaign in the English Football League Championship.
Deluded, dynamic, derided and some say damned, we’ll be tracking the supporters to the Burton Albions and the Rotherhams as Rafa Benitez strives to deliver the team back to the Premier League in his first full season at the helm.
This story will focus entirely on the fans - the 12th man - their intense passion and unwavering belief - following them closely on their journey to help take a once great club back to the top flight.
We’ll take a trip inside the belly of the beast, an up-close view of the hardcore fans who go to great lengths to follow and support their club in cities and towns throughout the UK.
Through interviews and footage from the fans themselves, we will attempt to answer these questions, while capturing the unique experience of the fanatics. A film about the fans, by the fans - an unique inside look at the mystique of NUFC and what it means to be a football fan in the 21st Century.
Besides the traveling, black and white contingent, we will also explore NUFC fan clubs around the globe, capturing their fervour and fanaticism from hundreds and thousands of miles away from St James Park. Twenty-three matches, in towns and cities across Britain, for the biggest prize in football. 9,570 miles. And we’ll be there.
The Rafalution will be televised.
The chants rang out from the terraces - “We want you to stay, we want you to stay, Rafa Benitez - we want you to stay!”
“Dad, you cannot leave these people”, Claudia and Agata Benitez allegedly told their father. “They love you. You have to stay.”
And stay he did.
“The love I could feel from the fans was a big influence in my decision,” he said. “This is a massive club and I want to be a part of it.”
From Champions League winner and football superstars Real Madrid to the Toon, Rafa Benitez stayed because of one thing... the black and white army - THE NUFC FANS.
THIS IS A LOVE LETTER TO THE FANS of NUFC, wherever they may be. Who are these fans? What makes them really tick? Why do they do it? How do they do it? What are their hopes and dreams for themselves as well as their beloved football team.
With unprecedented access to Newcastle United Football Club and supporters, we intend to capture the unique experience of supporting newly relegated NUFC during their unpredictable campaign in the English Football League Championship.
Deluded, dynamic, derided and some say damned, we’ll be tracking the supporters to the Burton Albions and the Rotherhams as Rafa Benitez strives to deliver the team back to the Premier League in his first full season at the helm.
This story will focus entirely on the fans - the 12th man - their intense passion and unwavering belief - following them closely on their journey to help take a once great club back to the top flight.
We’ll take a trip inside the belly of the beast, an up-close view of the hardcore fans who go to great lengths to follow and support their club in cities and towns throughout the UK.
Through interviews and footage from the fans themselves, we will attempt to answer these questions, while capturing the unique experience of the fanatics. A film about the fans, by the fans - an unique inside look at the mystique of NUFC and what it means to be a football fan in the 21st Century.
Besides the traveling, black and white contingent, we will also explore NUFC fan clubs around the globe, capturing their fervour and fanaticism from hundreds and thousands of miles away from St James Park. Twenty-three matches, in towns and cities across Britain, for the biggest prize in football. 9,570 miles. And we’ll be there.
The Rafalution will be televised.