Wor Flags to benefit from sales of Newcastle United supporters’s photo book

Newcastle United supporter George Dixon has pieced together a catalogue of photographs from a remarkable season at St James Park and on the road - and supporters group Wor Flags is set to benefit.

The lifelong Magpies fan has taken a unique approach to matchdays in recent years by capturing some memorable moments on a film camera, meaning the photos he has produced as Eddie Howe’s side burst into the top four of the Premier League have more of a sentimental feel about them.

After following United around the country, Dixon was able to chart what has become one of the most memorable seasons in the club’s recent history as the Magpies secured a return to the Champions League for the first time in two decades and made their way to their first major cup final since 1999.

As the supporter revealed, what started out as a bit of fun has now turned into a project that will give fellow fans a chance to relive the momentous events of the 2022/23 season.

He told NewcastleWorld: “First and foremost, it started as a hobby that I picked up during lockdown. I was buzzing to return through the turnstiles after being shut out from games during COVID for what felt like an eternity, I couldn’t wait to take my old school compact camera to matches for fun.

“It has been right place, right time, because I can’t believe the trajectory we have had since the takeover. We expected baby steps, little-by-little, but it’s been quite unbelievable trying to take in what has happened.

“There was no plan to put on a project or put something like this together but it’s become part of my matchday experience and it’s grown and grown, capturing moments of joy and despair throughout an amazing season. I love the graininess of the shots that a 35mm film camera produces. The photos come back more pronounced and nostalgic - even something taken as recent as Saturday at 3pm feels like a long-standing memory. Capturing what has been a real whirlwind year has been amazing, it’s been a passion and I’ve had amazing feedback from people on social media.

“I never really expected that, and eventually I thought I’d have a go at pulling a book together as something fitting to help people look back at a remarkable season.”

One of the key aspects of Newcastle’s rise in recent years has been the return of Wor Flags to St James Park as their displays have produced a stunning backdrop for home games over the last 18 months.

The fans group will receive £5 from every sale of ‘The Entertained’ and Dixon believes it is a fitting way to not only thank Wor Flags for their impact on the club, but also to support them in their efforts going forwards.

“I wanted to raise a bit of money for Wor Flags because they are unbelievable at what they do,” he explained.

“I say this to a lot of people, but I firmly believe they have become the true twelfth man for us in the role that they are playing on matchdays. There are numerous points we have gained over the last two seasons thanks to the atmosphere they have helped create before and during the game.

“They’ve helped ramp up the atmosphere, not just in the ground for the fans and with the players, but the whole city really. It felt like a nice touch to support their future displays and keep supporting them doing what they’re doing. The prep that goes into every game, often working into the night to get the job done, is incredible.”

There were numerous challenges for Dixon throughout the season, none more so than the limited number of shots he could take throughout a game and trying to maintain his composure as celebrations played out around him. “You also have to be more selective about the photos you take with film, because with most 35mm rolls you only get 36 photos to work with. It’s not like firing away on an iPhone camera where you can just select one from 30, so you’re more careful with it. The hardest thing was keeping a steady hand when the stands erupted. My camera’s flown out of my hand at times...but thankfully somehow survived to tell the tale!

Those challenges were met and the result is a stunning piece of work that will evoke memories of some eventful days out for the Magpies faithful.

Three matches stand out for the man himself, including one image where he believes he captured the moment United players started to believe they were ‘doing something great’.

He said: “It was times as early as Spurs away, where the result felt like a big statement - ‘we’re here to take part in the European chase’ - and the camaraderie among the players seemed incredible. One shot I got of the team coming over to the fans at the end of the game and you can see them grabbing each other, smiling ear to ear, giving a sense that they knew they were doing something great. That sticks with you.

“Then towards the end, the trips like Nottingham Forest and Brentford, the way those wins happened with emphatic winners from Isak, there were limbs and those moments were very hard to capture, but they were special moments. It’s about being in them at the time as well, of course!”

Orders can be made via floodlightson.com at a cost of £20 plus postage and packaging and £5 will be donated to Wor Flags from the sale of every book. The closing date and time for orders will be at 6pm on 17th August.