From the Shields Gazette 7 June:

NEWCASTLE United's proposed pre-season trip to China has been called off.

The Magpie board was forced to cancel the mini-tour of the Far East after the Chinese failed to provide the necessary financial guarantees they had promised. The decision leaves manager Bobby Robson with the task of finding two additional friendlies to add to the match at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, August 4, and Rob Lee's testimonial game against Athletic Bilbao at St James's Park on August 11. The United party's preparations for the three-match tour of the Orient were well in hand, with the players having had their jabs, and visas already granted and received. Newcastle were due to jet out of Heathrow for Hong Kong on July 19, where they were to play South China FC thee days later. They were then scheduled to fly into mainland China's Western Province to play Hung Tap FC in the massive Kunming Stadium, before finishing their mini-tour with a match at Dalian on July 28. But the plug has now officially been pulled on the trip, with United stating: "News last week that we were hoping to undertake a tour of China this July was premature. "After publicity from Asia announcing our visit, agencies in China have been unable to come up with the promised guarantees on several issues, and the club has decided to cut negotiations short in order to establish the team's pre-season training programme. "Numerous offers to play friendly matches against European teams are now being considered, and details will be announced when these games are finalised. "We hope to arrange a minimum of two more matches to replace those originally planned for Asia. The games against Sheffield Wednesday and Athletic Bilbao for Rob Lee's testimonial will go ahead as planned." United's Premiership fixtures for next season will be announced on Thursday, June 21.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

Answers

awfully premature

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

Why aren't there ever pre-season 'friendly' local derbies ?

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

Damn - and there was I busily planning my travel itinerary for the summer. Look slike I'll have to do with a meeting in bliddy Sheffield now :-(

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

I think it's all just as well really.

The Asian teams aren't really that much of a challenge, we'd be better off playing some English teams which may give us better practice.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

Done right, a HK, Singapore & Thailand tour would be a great money spinner in terms of raised awareness of NNUFC.

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2001

Last time they came to Asia was 5 years ago. Absolute disaster. Played in Osaka one week before the Charity Shield in 36 degree hear. Bl**dy stupid idea. And they looked tired the following week. Mmmmm strange that.

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2001