Since Alan Shearer moved from Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United, I was sure that we would finally win the Premiership title. As a big Newcastle United fan since the Keegan days I’ve went through some highs and more lows since then - watching the team losing two cup finals was a big blow, being at St. James’ Park as Alan Shearer scored THAT goal against Pompey on a chilly February afternoon in 2006 was definitely my best moment - until this week. This week would change it all.

Since I knew that the team would be coming to Austria for a boot camp it was clear to me that I had to take this opportunity to see my beloved United in my home country. I was there when the squad arrived at Graz Thalerhof Airport. To get some autographs was great but it was just the beginning of a fantastic week. As a regular user of N-O I didn’t hesitate in putting some of the pictures online.

On day two I drove to Stegersbach and was more than surprised to meet another Austrian Toon maniac there. Lucas and myself were really happy to discuss the recent transfer activities, gossip and other stuff in our mother tongue. And to see our heroes training just of few metres away was unbelievable. My Austrian friend and his girlfriend stayed at the Balance Resort Hotel in Stegersbach for two days, the same residence where the team was staying. He left on Friday afternoon; I stayed at the hotel from Sunday to Monday.

After cycling in the area around the hotel and breakfast, the squad were driven to the local football stadium for their daily training sessions. Sam Allardyce was supervising the training - the coaches, especially Steve Round, Nigel Pearson and Lee Clark were on the pitch giving the instructions. Running, exercising with the ball, 5-a-side matches - the programme was very intense and diversified. The players gave their all… as you can see in the following four pictures.

Watching the lads during training was one thing - but staying in the same hotel was even more exciting. Neither Lucas nor me wanted to offend the lads - we were just excited to be so close to the squad. For example: Imagine you are calling the elevator and Michael Owen is in there… it was so weird, almost unreal. As a fan you are trying to figure out every detail of what your stars are doing. I watched Joey Barton matching Kieron Dyer in a chess game. Steve Harper, Shay Given & Nicky Butt were relaxing at the pool listening to Pink Floyd as Nigel Pearson was roasting in the sun. On their day off on Friday, Michael Owen was trying his luck on the golf course.

The players were really friendly and obliging - no airs and graces at all. I was pleasently surprised but I knew it to be honest. They are my heroes!

On Monday I had to return from cloud No.9 back to earth - as my holidays were almost over. I visited the training ground one more time - the players did some pictures with me - now it was almost like business as usual. As I drove home I tried to relive some of the highlights of the last few days… I had a big grin on my face, believe me. If this is an indication for the season to come then it will be a fantastic season. Hopefully the trophy drought will come to an end - we will see. One thing is for sure: I had a fantastic week in Stegersbach. Howay the lads!