There’s something uniquely special about the way Newcastle United passes from one generation to the next — not just through shirts and scarves, but through stories, songs, and sometimes even ink.
I got a call recently from my good friend Colin Watson Jnr, proudly announcing the birth of his first grandchild, a baby boy named Leo, born on June 9. What made the date even more memorable for Colin was that it fell on the anniversary of the first performance of “The Blaydon Races” by Geordie Ridley back in 1862 — a moment deeply etched into the cultural fabric of Tyneside.
Colin, born and bred in North Shields and now living near Middlesbrough, is black and white through and through, just like his late father. Colin Snr, a familiar face to many, was often picked out by Sky Sports cameras during Newcastle matches in the 1990s and early 2000s — his weathered face, sharp wit, and unmistakable Geordie charm making him a perfect stand-in for the Toon faithful.
Inked Allegiance
While Colin Jnr may not resemble his father in looks, they share the same fierce loyalty to the club — and the tattoos to prove it. A devoted Toon Army foot soldier, Colin proudly wears his Newcastle United allegiance on his skin, quite literally. His collection of tattoos includes every version of the club crest, past and present.
Among his most talked-about pieces? A tongue-in-cheek variation of the current crest featuring shemagh-clad seahorses, the Saudi flag, and “Newcastle United” in green — a playful nod to the club’s new era under Saudi ownership. It’s sparked a few conversations, especially with locals in his Teesside neighbourhood and beyond — even New Yorkers, he says, have gotten used to the artwork and see it for what it is: a bit of fun.
“The manager and locals know me now,” Colin explained. “They get the joke. Even they’ve heard of the Septic Six.”
Crest Debates and Crest Pride
As discussions continue about the club’s next official crest redesign, fans have submitted ideas far and wide — including one particularly bold concept recently featured in Letters to The Mag. While some supporters scoffed at it, others, like myself, saw promise in the creativity.
The club’s owners have been quick to assure fans there won’t be overt Saudi influence in any new badge design, but for many supporters — myself included — that wouldn’t necessarily be a problem. For Colin, the mock-Saudi crest sits proudly among his many Toon tattoos, a snapshot of a historic turning point for the club.
A Grandbairn Born to Bleed Black and White
But perhaps most heartwarming of all is the arrival of little Leo, already set to be raised on Newcastle chants and memories of Shearer, Keegan, and the Gallowgate roar.
His grandfather has lived through it all — the heartbreaks, the glory days, and the long away journeys in the rain. He’s passed the torch, or perhaps more fittingly, the black-and-white scarf, to a new generation.
Colin’s tattoos may be visible from a mile away, but it’s the unseen loyalty in his heart that truly defines him — and now, it’ll live on in young Leo.
From Geordie Ridley to Saudi-themed seahorses, and from the terraces to the tattoo chair, Newcastle United continues to define identity across generations. And for supporters like Colin, the ink is just another chapter in a lifelong love story with the club.
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