I was with Newcastle United in Tokyo - and this is what surprised me amid Tottenham Hotpsur & Brighton moves

Considering the eight-hour time difference, heat and humidity, it was a challenging week for Eddie Howe and his players. Training was minimal and results were contrasting, a 4-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the first game was followed up with a 2-0 loss against Yokohama F. Marinos in the second.

But this was a week where the results didn’t matter, not because it’s only pre-season, but because supporters from all four corners of the world gathered in the Far East for one cause: Newcastle United Football Club.

A strong core of Japan-based fans - something that I’ll be honest surprised me - bolstered in numbers by those travelling from the likes of Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Australia and the UK, were given the opportunity to feel closer to their club, all while Newcastle benefitted from tapping into another international market after trips to Saudi Arabia and United States.

The launch of the Adidas third kit, Q&As with the likes of Shola Ameobi, Darren Eales, Sean Longstaff & Sandro Tonali and an Wor Flags-inspired away end - Newcastle did their utmost to leave a lasting impression.

United leave Tokyo with a larger Japanese fanbase than when they first arrived and for that part, it was a roaring success. But, and there is a but, it is evident that they still have some way to go before becoming a bigger attraction.

While Howe’s side were backed by a strong vocal away end at both the Saitama Stadium and Japan National Stadium, a combined attendance of around 51,000 still leaves plenty of room for improvement.

That will only come with more visits, trophies and perhaps even a Japanese signing. Does anyone know where Yoshinori Muto is these days?!

Watch the video above as I give my review of the Japan trip.