27/08/2026
A MESSAGE TO OUR YOUNG LADS AROUND OUR COMMUNITY ⚽️
And before anything else, we're not here for an argument.
We're not here to speculate about recent tragedies, assign blame, criticise grieving families or speak badly about anyone.
There are real people, real families behind recent stories.
But perhaps recent events should make all of us in the North East talk about something that has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
The thrill. The speed. The risk.
Powerful e-bikes and electric motorbikes being ridden illegally on our streets.
Reckless driving.
Stolen vehicles.
Running from the police.
Showing off because your mates are watching.
That feeling of being young and believing that whatever happens...
"It won't happen to me."
We're not going to sit here and pretend we don't understand the attraction.
Most of us were young once.
We know why speed feels exciting.
We know what it's like when your mates are egging you on and nobody wants to be the one who backs out.
We know what it's like to think you're invincible.
And plenty of the older lads reading this will probably admit something:
"Some of us are only here today because we got lucky."
But when you're riding or driving recklessly, you're not only gambling with your own life.
There's somebody coming the other way.
There's somebody sitting beside you.
There are emergency workers simply doing their jobs.
There might be a complete stranger who suddenly finds themselves desperately trying to keep you alive.
And somewhere...
there's somebody waiting for you to come home.
That's the bit we want our young lads to remember.
Because we DO want you here!
We want you standing with your mates in the crowd at St James' Park.
We want you in The Strawberry or your local, having a couple of jars and watching the mighty Toon! 🖤🤍💪🏼
We want you walking home afterwards with a kebab in your hand, still arguing about whether that was definitely a penalty or not!
We want you getting your first proper job.
Falling in love.
Seeing the world.
Maybe having bairns of your own.
Growing older and one day telling the next generation about all the stupid things you did when you were their age.
What none of your fellow Geordies ever want is somebody knocking on your family's door to tell them...
You're not coming home tonight.
The thrill might last seconds.
The consequences can last forever.
So be young.
Have fun.
Have adventures.
Take chances in life.
But please learn which chances simply aren't worth taking.
And if one young lad happens to read this tonight before getting on a bike or behind a wheel and thinks twice...
Then this post has done its job.
⚽️ To the young lads of the North East ⚽️:
There's a whole life waiting for you.
Make sure you're here to live it.
Get home safe.
(Newcastle AI page)
