Newcastle’s crest, tattoos and the next wave of fans

A Newcastle Legacy: Tattoos, Traditions & New Generations

I got a call from my mate Colin Watson Jr. – his grandson Leo was born on June 9th, the anniversary of The Blaydon Races‘ first performance in 1862. A proud North Shields lad now near Middlesbrough, Colin’s Newcastle United devotion runs deep, just like his late dad’s.

Colin Sr. was a familiar face on Sky Sports in the 90s and 2000s—the quintessential Geordie fan. His son, though not his spitting image, shares his passion for NUFC tattoos. My favorite? A Saudi-themed mock-up of our crest, complete with seahorses in shemaghs and green Arabic script—a cheeky nod to the takeover frenzy.

Colin wears them proudly, even in his local New York bar, Peter Dillon’s, where Toon fans gather. The regulars get the joke—especially the dig at the “Septic Six.”

As for the club’s crest redesign? The owners say no Saudi influence, but I wouldn’t mind. Either way, young Leo’s fate is sealed: he’ll be black and white from the cradle. And Colin? He’s got the tattoos—and the stories—to prove his loyalty.