Newcastle United fans fly to Dortmund for Champions League tie - many without tickets

Toon fans were draped in black and white as they made their way to Dortmund from Newcastle Airport - many without a match ticket.

Newcastle United will play their away fixture against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday as part of the Champions League group stages. The Mapgies lost the home fixture at St James' Park 1-0 on October 25.

Supporters were in high spirits as they arrived at the airport in Newcastle on Monday morning. They were wearing Newcastle tops, scarfs, flags and hats as they began their journey to Germany.

• Read more: 'I never saw that before' - Borussia Dortmund diehard's vow to Geordies after Newcastle welcome
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Many of the fans flying to the German city were doing so without a match ticket. Some hoped to be able to buy one when they got there while others planned to watch the game in the fan zone in Dortmund.

One thing was clear - they all wanted to soak up the atmosphere and be part of the action.

Chris Kelly, 41, from Hartlepool, is taking his eight-year-old son Albie to Dortmund for the experience. They do not have tickets and plan to watch the match in the fan zone.

Chris, who works as a engineer, said: "It's a dad and son trip - our first European trip. I thought why not if we have got the chance to do it? We thought it would be the best out of all the fixtures.

"We're going over for the fan zone and the experience. It's about supporting the team, it's part of everything that's going on now.

"We've got no one to fear, we've beat Man City, we've beat Arsenal, we've beat Man United, we've beat PSG, who have we got to fear? Bring it on!"

Michael Hedley, from North Shields, North Tyneside, is also heading over to Germany without a ticket. He said he will watch the game in one of the bars if he is unable to get a ticket when he gets there.

The 38-year-old season ticket holder, who works as a self employed plasterer, said: "I'm looking forward to it, I think it will be a bit different to the first leg. I think we'll do better this time now we've seen what they can do. Plus we've had a boost from the two games we've just had, Man United and Arsenal, so I think we'll do well.

"Isak's a big miss, especially on these big European nights, but you can see Eddie has still got the lads there to do the job. They are still playing well.

"Now we always think we've got a chance whereas before we thought 'We are going to get beat here'. With any team that he puts out now, we think we've got a chance."

Paul Smith, 55, from Horden, Kev Smith, from South Hetton, and Matt Smith, 22, from Wingate, have season tickets together in the Leazes End of St James' Park.

They are also heading to Dortmund without match tickets.

Warehouse worker Paul said: "We haven't got tickets, we're going to see if we can get tickets over there. If we get some in the Dortmund end, we'll go in there.

"We're just happy to be at the game. It's going to be fabulous. Their confidence is down as they've just been beat four nil. Our confidence is up, we should do alright."

Kev, who works as a project manager, said they previously travelled to Milan, Italy, and got tickets for the away match against AC Milan at the San Siro.

This time around, they have paid £500 each for flights and accommodation in Dortmund.

Kev said: "We thought why not? We'll get the flights booked and if we don't get a ticket we'll go anyway! Whether we get tickets or not, it will still be an incredible atmosphere."

Gill Dey, 64, and her son Billy, 22, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, are also heading over to Dortmund without tickets to the game. The pair, who have season tickets in the Gallowgate West Corner at St James' Park, plan to watch the match in the fan zone.

Billy, who works as a retail assistant in the Newcastle United club store, said: "We haven't got tickets but we're just going over for the atmosphere. We've been going to the match for 13 years now so we're going over just to see the town play in the Champions League. It doesn't get any better than that really.

"I think it will be like Wembley again - Geordies everywhere. There's 4,000 tickets sold and there's meant to be about 20,000 people going.

"We'll probably get back there soon, but if we don't get back this year, you'll probably regret not going to Dortmund. It's such a nice city and the people, when they came here, were dead canny."

Gill, who works as an administrator, added: "You just have to be part of it!"

When asked what he thought Newcastle's chances were of winning, Billy said: "Better then last time. They got hammered at the weekend and we won a big game so why not?"

Alan Falls, 67, Alan Strong, 46, and Bobby Strong, 13, all from North Shields, North Tyneside, have season tickets in The Barracks at St James' Park. They have managed to get tickets for the game.

Bobby said: "I think the players will be tired but I think we'll pull it off! I think we'll win 2-1."

Bobby's dad Alan Strong, who works as a stone mason, said: "I think we'll break down the yellow wall!

"It's unbelievable, I can't wait to get there. I think we'll win 3-1. I also think they'll be tired but I think they'll be really up for it. It's amazing what Eddie Howe has done to the team, they all want to win."

Bobby's grandfather Alan Falls, a retired rigger, added: "I'll never see it again!"

Frank Law, from Forest Hall, has a ticket for the match and is heading over the Dortmund with friends.

The 66-year-old, who runs his own painting and decorating business, said: "I've been a supporter all my life, first match 1965, and I just want the town to win something before I die.

"I'm really optimistic about Dortmund after the way the team's performed the past few games. The supporters have been on fire, the team has been on fire.

"We will go there and give it everything and hopefully we will come back with the right result. It will be Paris away and then Milan at home and it will be absolutely incredible.

"Eddie Howe and the backroom staff and the owners of the club have got the club back on the map. It's absolutely unbelievable what's happening and with any luck we will win something the next few year."

Paul Capocci, 51, and his son Lewis, 14, from Chapel House, Newcastle, are also making their way to Germany with tickets. Paul, who works as a tiler, said: "I think we'll win."

He said any player that has came into the team has "stepped up" and he has no concerns about the injury list. He believes the atmosphere will be "probably one of the best in the world".

Newcastle's second European away match of the season has been a big operation for staff working at Newcastle Airport.

There are 12 flights carrying fans from Newcastle to Dortmund or Duffeldorf on Monday and Tuesday.

Among them are charter flights provided by Transavia, the Newcastle United Supporters Club and Sport Options. A flight had also been put on for Newcastle United.

A fan zone will be set up in The Alter Market - the square in the centre of Dortmund - for those without a ticket. DJs Woody Van Eyden and Jonny Docherty will keep fans entertained during the event on Tuesday.