Newcastle Fan Cooper Robson Shares His Thoughts Ahead of the Season
As part of OneFootball’s collaboration series with Shoot Music, Cooper Robson, a spoken word poet and vocalist for Geordie jazz band Knats, discusses his love for Newcastle United.
Robson began supporting Newcastle at around five or six years old, inspired by his father’s role as the goalkeeper for a five-a-side team. He vividly remembers being drawn to the striking 1998 purple seahorse goalkeeper kit his dad wore. “I thought it looked wicked,” he recalls. His father shared tales of legends like Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan, and Sir Bobby Robson, making Robson realize that football was more than just a game he played with his dad; it was about belonging to a team.
Reflecting on his favorite childhood memory, Robson highlights the thrilling match in 2016 when Newcastle defeated Norwich 4-3. He had a season ticket near the away end, and with Norwich leading 3-2 late in the game, a late equalizer by Yoan Gouffran ignited excitement. Soon after, Dwight Gayle scored again, leaving Robson in a state of euphoria.
Looking ahead, Robson refrains from making bold predictions but expresses hope for player Lewis Miley. He believes that Miley, who has been among the team’s best players for the last three years, deserves recognition, especially after significant player departures this summer.
Regarding the managerial change from Eddie Howe to Matthias Jaissle, Robson acknowledges that parting ways can sometimes be necessary. He wishes Howe to be remembered fondly, noting the strain he seemed to experience last season. Robson has been impressed by Jaissle’s presence during preseason and appreciates his high-pressing style reminiscent of Howe’s early days. He also expresses sorrow over the departure of assistant manager Jason Tindall.
When asked about players to watch this season, Robson mentions his anticipation for Wissa. While his performance last year was questionable, he believes Wissa showed promise in pre-season, including winning Man of the Match in the first game.
Cooper Robson’s band, Knats, has recently released their latest work titled “A Great Day In Newcastle,” and they are nominated for Album of the Year at the 2026 Mercury Prize. For more updates, you can follow Cooper on Instagram at @coopsie_xoxo and Knats at @knatsncl.
As part of OneFootball’s collaboration series with Shoot Music we’re interviewing an artist about their love of football.
This week it’s Newcastle fan Cooper Robson, spoken word poet and vocalist for Geordie jazz trailblazers Knats.
When did you start supporting Newcastle and why?
Advertisement
I reckon around five or six-years-old. My dad was goalkeeper for a five-a-side team and always wore the 1998 purple seahorse GK kit. I thought it looked wicked. When I asked him about it, I didn’t exactly get a ten second answer – he bellowed about Shearer, Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson. That’s when I properly realised that footy wasn’t just something me and my old man played – I had a team.
What is your favourite memory of supporting Newcastle as a child?
I’m not sure if 18-yearsold constitutes being a child, but the night we beat Norwich 4-3 in 2016 goes down in history for me. My season ticket that year was as close as you could get to the away end; at 90 minutes Norwich were leading 3-2 and they had been letting us know about it. A [Yoan] Gouffran equaliser late into stoppage sends us wild and frenzied. Of course it does. But the one and only Dwight Gayle only a minute later bangs in another and I feel a euphoria unlike any other.
What are your predictions for Newcastle ahead of the new season?
Advertisement
I’m not a psychic, a soothsayer, or a gambling man and I’ve always felt uneasy about making claims about Newcastle. I’m not going to predict our place in the table, or our top scorer, but I’m hoping this season [Lewis] Miley finally gets his flowers. He’s quietly been one of our best players for the last three years, and with the big name exits this summer I think it’s only fair he gets his spotlight. He’s earned it.
Do you think it was time for Eddie Howe to move on as manager and how do you think Matthias Jaissle will get on?
I want Eddie to be remembered as a legend, and sometimes that means saying goodbye rather than letting things go sour. There were times last season where he seemed gaunt and deflated and it was hard to see. And so did the team. Jaissle has impressed me with the little I’ve seen of him in preseason games and interviews. He has a sort of confidence that gives pride without arrogance, and I like that he plays high pressing football, similar to Howe when he was first appointed. I think Howe deserves a break. That said, mad dog Tindall is going to be my biggest miss!
Which player are you most looking forward to seeing play this season?
Advertisement
My previous comments about Miley aside, I’m really hopeful to see Wissa this season. He was, and I’ll say it, trollop last year, but he showed glimpses of the player we bought at the World Cup, played well in pre-season and won Man of the Match in our first game. Let’s hope we finally have a proper striker this season, after a weird year in the shadow of the unnamed rat.
‘A Great Day In Newcastle’ by Knats is out now. The band are nominated for Album of the Year at the 2026 Mercury Prize.
You can follow Cooper on Instagram: @coopsie_xoxo and Knats: @knatsncl
[/gpt3]