'The quicker the better' – Steve Bruce desperate for Newcastle United off-field call to become reality

Steve Bruce is relishing the prospect of Newcastle United's 'unique' and 'unbelievable following' being back where they belong.
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St James's Park has cut an eerie setting for United since the return to football in Project Restart.

Normally the beating heart of the city on a matchday, with the arteries to the cathedral on the hill thronging with the United faithful, Newcastle is now dead on any given Saturday, or Wednesday as the Premier League season limps to a close.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined an October date for a possible return for fans to stadia on Friday - and it's something Bruce can't wait to get back to.

General view inside the empty stadium as Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United scores his team's second goal past Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James Park on July 05, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.General view inside the empty stadium as Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United scores his team's second goal past Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James Park on July 05, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
General view inside the empty stadium as Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United scores his team's second goal past Lukasz Fabianski of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and West Ham United at St. James Park on July 05, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

"It's amazing what we get used to," joked Bruce when asked about football behind-closed-doors.

"When we started, we were all saying how eerie and different it is.

"The quicker the fans get back, the better. It’s all about the supporters and the fans, and here we’re quite unique, we have an unbelievable following.

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"What it's all about here is going to the match on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. We want to get back to that."

United have just one home game left in the 2019/20 season, with Liverpool due on Tyneside on Sunday week.

Fans have not been allowed in stadia since football went into lockdown back in mid-March.

Newcastle United have not had a home game in front of their own fans since the 0-0 draw with Burnley on February 29. United have not scored a goal in front of a live SJP audience since January 18.