It's over 15 years since that infamous May day in B6 when an Aston Villa fan unfurled a plucky banner poking fun at Newcastle United's plunge into the Championship. Two clubs separated by 207 miles and connected by years of underachieving were no more than competitors in the same division back then. He's got a lot to answer for, has Leighton Castle! He's the Villan responsible for the 'Sob on the Tyne' banner that sparked the bizarre rivalry with Newcastle.
And that rivalry will be reignited once again when the two clubs face each other in the Premier League at St James' Park on Thursday (3pm kick-off). It all started in May 2009 when Leighton gently mocked Newcastle's relegation - sealed with defeat at Villa Park - with banners in the Holte End. It is not just the inspiration for the ‘Sob of the Tyne’ banner that Leighton can lay claim to.
The ‘We’re not fickle, we just don’t like you’ classic which firmly put David O’Leary in his place was also his. As for the ‘Who’s Your Next Messiah ANT or DEC?’ unveiled during Newcastle’s relegation game, yep, that’s his too. Leighton is still chuckling about the faux rivalry.
Here we re-tell how this Sob (on the Tyne) Story first came about. READ | Louie Barry breaks silence on Aston Villa recall and makes ambition clear READ | Every word Unai Emery said about Newcastle, Rogers challenge and midfield dilemma Are you still amused about this rivalry you have created? The Geordies will never understand that the more.
