Former Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton says he'll always be grateful for working for the Geordie fans.
Hughton went to Newcastle in 2008 when Kevin Keegan had his Second Coming at St James' and his three years with the Toon have made him appreciate the very different passion of the 'Geordie Nation'.
"What I experienced there is completely different to anywhere I've been before," he told the London Evening Standard. "It is local passion. They are passionate supporters because they are local supporters. And, when you get that, you can feel it more. They'll tell how it is, whether they are happy with the team or when they're not happy."
Hughton rented a house in Jesmond, very close to the city centre, and insists he was never treated as a southern import. "Even through the bad times I've always been delighted at how I've been treated up there," he says.
"Winning the Championship was my biggest achievement. But I didn't have any bad experiences. I really enjoyed my time there and certainly I'm better for it."
