Featuring: Ant Watkinson, Tom Wright, Bryan Wright, Simon Revelle, Luke Burton, James Ellis, Tez, Mark Craven, Tim Reeves, Paul Cooke, Brett Smith, Scott Grant

For pictures and videos head to: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.873864499348057.1073741855.157849394282908&type=3

Friday
So the day to head to the North East had arrived. 10 E&K FC members or friends were to travel up on Friday 31st July and the drama started before we had even left the borough!

Myself (Ant) and James Ellis were 1st to arrive at Sun Inn (The meeting point for breakfast before heading off). Upon arrival I forgot to grab a FREE parking ticket and only once Mark Craven had arrived, legged it into the pub and shouted down to me that I was being ticketed by a warden did I realise my error. After a few verbal's, much laughter directed at me and £25 later, we were ready for our breakfasts and then we were soon heading off. Great start to what was only going to get better!

Arriving at Metro Inns, Newcastle everyone was intrigued to see just how cheap the hotel looked and its fair to say it certainly was budget... however, I was a fan of the showers which were more like jet washes and yes, getting caught on the wrong area meant pain!

once we had all washed and changed we headed next door to Toby Carvery for a few swift beers before heading off to our 1st weekend activity via minibus to Grosvenor Casino. We had a 2 course meal before hitting the tables with Roulette being everyones main game. More drama ensued as money was being won all over but one person in particular caused an absolute scene and it wasn't anyone from our gang.

One punter was not only chucking £25 chips around the place for fun, he suddenly whipped out a pile of £50 notes and splashed them around the table as if they didn't matter... que many startled faces. His number came up but the casino staff disagreed with his bet and so the drama escalated. after investigations he was given his money.

The night continued and so we headed off looking for bars, pubs or anything selling alcohol.

Simon Revelle thought £1 jagerbombs sounded great and so lead everyone into a pub called 'The End'... it most certainly could have been the end had we not realised where we were... yep, it was a bar suited to certain sexual orientations but nevertheless we necked the bombs and fled.

Simon was scrubbed off the 'Bar finder list'.

We headed up towards a place called 'The Gate' which we thought was an actual pub or bar but turned out to be much like Nottinghams Cornerhouse but on a larger scale. We hit a bar called players and so the drinking games began, shots were all over and the fun began to occur.

We then all ended up in a karaoke bar called 'Cosy Joes' and that place is down in legendary status. Myself and Tom Wright smashed it with Stacy's Mom, Simon thrashed out mustang sally and then myself and Tim Reeve hit it with Wonderwall. The bar went crazy! literally.

In between all the above there were many other stories which talking to individuals will everyone get a flavour but a top night ended around 3am and takeaways were sought before bed!

Saturday
Upon waking up, showering and heading for a Toby Carvery all you can eat breakfast the stories from the night before were thrashed about but Scott Grant somehow managed to lose his wallet and Tom Wright found his way home via 'Big Mo'...speak to him about that!. Thankfully for him Tim Reeves casino winnings helped Scott out and we were soon ready for the days action to begin and what a day we had in store.

At 12pm we headed out to Goals Soccer centre for an hours 'Bubble Football' and what an experience that was. We were joined by Paul Cooke and Brett Smith at this point who had travelled up for the day & Night. The bodies flying around and rebounding, crashing and hurling around was hilarious to say the least and I would urge anyone with footballing interest to try it out!

After the fun had at the bubble footie we then headed back to shower again before heading to St James Park, home of Newcastle United for their latest Pre Season friendly against German outfit, Borussia Monchengladbach.
Whilst the game itself wasn't the most appealing to watch the experience of being at St James Park and in the Gallowgate End was one I was all to pleased to take in. Newcastle lost 1-0.

Once we had finished there we again headed back to the hotel to change for the nights darting action. 8 of us headed to the O2 Academy whilst 4 others opted to hit the bars and catch up with us later on.

The £15 ticket for the darts got us x2 free pints, burger and chips, x1 FREE Platy on roulette back at the casino and the live darting action featuring top names as Gary Anderson, Steve Bunting who is now a living legend to myself and oldies like Steve Beaten.

If your a darts lover you would have loved this as it was all about the beer, the chants and plenty of 180's. One highlight for myself was mine and James's '2 pinter drinks'... magical!

After seeing Anderson claim victory over Bunting we hit the casino to claim our freebies, had a cheeky flutter then joined the other 4 at Tiger Tiger where we were o the VIP Guestlist (Basically gave us a queue jump).

Once inside more drinks flowed and once we had our fill of tiger tiger we headed off again for more beers.

Somehow we ended up in the same karaoke place as the night before... don't know why but hey ho...we made the most of it and I again jumped on singing Outkasts 'Hey Ya' with Tim Reeves. yet again the place erupted.

Again the night ended with a takeaway special and plenty of laughter and a sense of fulfilment from an action packed day.

Sunday
After dragging ourselves up to check out on time, Bryan, Tom, Burt and Scott were already on their way home whilst the rest of us headed to a local Mcdonalds where we again shared stories, laughed at pictures and moments that occurred but ultimately nursed the hangovers.

It was then time to say goodbye to Newcastle and head home but one thing is for sure, it was a total pleasure to hit Newcastle with the boys listed above and what a great weekend it was.

Here is to next year and wherever the destination be...!