The Unique Bond That Made Newcastle Fans Wear Red and White

When Newcastle United host Athletic Club in a pivotal Champions League clash on Wednesday night, St James’ Park will witness an emotional and unusual sight: Newcastle fans proudly wearing red and white.

For most clubs, this would be unthinkable—especially as red and white are the colours of fierce rivals Sunderland. But this match is different. It’s the continuation of a 30-year-old love story forged in football and hospitality.

A Tale That Began in 1994

Back in 1994, during a UEFA Cup second-round tie, a bond was born between Athletic Bilbao and Newcastle fans.

Athletic fan Julen Izagirre, who will be in the away end on Wednesday despite being a Newcastle supporter too, remembers it vividly—even though he was only six at the time.

“My feelings towards both clubs are so strong that I think I will suffer more than enjoy it. I don’t want either of them to lose.”

His father Mikel Izagirre was in San Mames that night when home fans invaded the pitch to applaud the away support after a narrow 1-0 win. It left an indelible mark on both sides.

Gontzal Suances, who scored for Athletic in the first leg at St James’ Park, still reflects on that night with pride:

“It’s a joy that my dream of playing for Athletic is also linked to a story as beautiful as the one forged with Newcastle.”

Basques and Geordies: Kindred Spirits

Athletic Club won the second leg against Newcastle United thanks to a goal from Jose Angel Ziganda

The connection didn’t come out of nowhere. Both fanbases are:

• Proud of their local identity

• Deeply passionate about their clubs

• Welcoming to outsiders

And in many ways, Bilbao is a “British city”, shaped by historical links to the UK during the industrial revolution. British engineers and miners—many from north-east England—helped introduce football to the Basque region.

That’s why the club is named Athletic (not Atlético) and why football culture runs deep in both cities.

“You can see it if you walk through Bilbao or visit San Mames,” said Mikel Izagirre.

Adopt-a-Geordie in Bilbao

Newcastle fans who made the trip in 1994 still talk about it as the friendliest away day in memory.

“They wouldn’t let you spend anything,” recalls Tony Waters. “They laid the red carpet out. You couldn’t even buy a drink.”

After a tense 1-0 loss and early elimination, Athletic fans swarmed the pitch—to applaud their Geordie guests. And the affection didn’t stop there.

“It was like ‘adopt a Geordie’,” said Karl Pedley, who remembered riot police escorting fans before ending up hugging and toasting together.

Chants were exchanged, scarves swapped, and even red-and-white shirts donned by Newcastle fans—perhaps the only time Magpies have ever embraced Sunderland colours willingly.

Memories That Still Live On

Philip Long, a lifelong Newcastle fan, still has the Athletic shirt he received that night.

“It’s still in the wardrobe with a couple hundred of my Newcastle tops. I’ll never let go of it.”

Now, three decades later, the bond lives on. And as the teams clash once more in Europe, those ties of respect, history, and hospitality shine through louder than any rivalry.

This time, when St James’ Park sees red and white, it won’t be for Sunderland—it will be for something far more powerful: a friendship built on football.