dadnauts

⚽ “Blaydon Races and Baby Rattles”

As Newcastle pulses to chants of “Blaydon Races,” my home echoes with the sound of mini maracas and teething-related growls. It’s a different kind of match day—less crowd roar, more cuddles and caffeine.

Still, there’s beauty in the balance: cheering on NUFC with one eye while rocking your future Magpie with the other. It’s a reminder that team spirit isn’t confined to the terraces. It’s in how we show up—game day or sleepy Tuesday—and share our passions with the next generation.

Highlights from the Baby Dugout:

Match stats are swapped for nappy counts
Chants now include “Where’s your sock gone?”
But the love for the badge? That’s hereditary.

📖 “Log 005: Unexpected Landing Zone—Soft Play”

Plot twist: the Dadnauts shuttle crash-landed in a neon-padded civilization known only as “Soft Play.” The natives are sticky, fast-moving, and seemingly immune to gravity.

While reconnaissance was challenging (and socks mysteriously vanished), valuable intel was gathered:

Bunkering down near the slides offers strategic coverage and coffee proximity
Foam block diplomacy is possible—if led with snacks
Time distortion fields exist, converting 30 minutes into 3 hours of sweat

This log reminds us that even in chaos, there’s story to be found. And sometimes, the best way to understand alien worlds… is to climb them.

🖤 Why Wearing Your Team’s Shirt Means Everything

There’s something magical about slipping on your team’s football top. It’s more than fabric stitched with a crest — it’s a declaration of loyalty, a badge of honour, and a thread that binds you to thousands of others who share your passion.

Whether it’s black and white stripes at St. James’ Park or claret and blue in East London, wearing your club’s colours is a ritual that transcends generations. It’s the feeling of walking into a stadium and instantly belonging. You’re not just a spectator — you’re part of something bigger.

Sir Bobby Robson once said,

“What is a club in any case? Not the buildings or the directors or the people who are paid to represent it… It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city.”

That quote isn’t just poetic — it’s gospel. A football shirt is the physical embodiment of that noise and passion. It’s the small boy gripping his father’s hand, climbing the steps for the first time, and falling in love with the game. It’s the teenager chanting in the stands, the parent watching nervously from home, and the lifelong supporter who’s seen it all.

🧣 A Symbol of Unity

When you wear your team’s shirt, you’re instantly connected to a community. Strangers become friends. Conversations spark. High-fives fly. It’s tribal, yes — but in the best way. It’s about shared joy, heartbreak, and hope. It’s about singing in unison, win or lose.

🛍️ Why Buying the Shirt Matters

Some say it’s just merchandise. But for many, it’s a way to support the club financially and emotionally. Buying the shirt is a vote of confidence. It’s saying, “I believe in this team. I’m with them.” And when you wear it, you’re not just showing off — you’re showing up.

🗣️ Legends Know the Power of the Shirt

Alan Shearer, another North East icon, once said,

“For Newcastle United, Sir Bobby was massive. There was just this aura about him… he knew what made you tick.”

That aura lives on in the shirts we wear. It’s stitched into the fabric, passed down like folklore. It’s why fans wear retro kits, why kids beg for the latest release, and why grown adults still feel goosebumps pulling it on.

So next time someone asks why you wear your football top with pride, tell them it’s not just a shirt. It’s your identity. Your history. Your heart on your sleeve — literally.

🧙 “Stranger Things and Stranger Bedtimes”

There’s no sleep schedule in the Upside Down—and bedtime negotiations have started to feel eerily familiar. Armed with bath-time spells and snack bar bribes, we march into nightly conflict like Eleven facing a Demogorgon with half a juice box and a broken nightlight.

This week, bedtime was more Stranger Things than Storytime. My youngest demanded to sleep with a plastic wand, a plush Wookiee, and a sticker chart for unknown infractions. I obliged—because parenting is sometimes about embracing the strange in exchange for peace and five minutes of silence.

In the Dadnauts chronicles, these unpredictable rituals don’t just test your patience… they strengthen your lore.

🛠 “Mini Missions: Making Time for Creativity”

In the Dadnauts universe, every spare moment is a launchpad for imagination. This week’s log focuses on reclaiming those snatched scraps of time—while the kettle boils, during nap resets, or when you’re dodging Duplo missiles—for creative micro-missions.

Whether it’s sketching a silhouette, jotting down three lines of lore, or snapping a photo that whispers “alternate timeline”, these mini missions aren’t just placeholders. They’re progress. They’re proof that creativity doesn’t need perfect conditions—just intention.

Mission Brief:

Identify 3 “creative crevices” in your day
Assign a 5-minute task to each
Celebrate every completion like you’ve escaped from a Sarlacc pit

Because even five minutes of creative push can change the shape of your storytelling orbit.

⚽The Toonverse Chronicles — Week 4⚽

⚽ NUFC Meltdowns vs Toddler Tantrums

Two sides. One storm. You’ve seen it: the chaotic ripple of a missed penalty mirrored in a living room meltdown because the toast was “too triangular.” NUFC and toddlers—iconic tantrum twins.

Let’s break it down:

⚽ NUFC Meltdown	👶 Toddler Tantrum
Missed opportunity	Lost toy
Tactical error	Snack injustice
Ref drama	Nap resistance
Emotional roar	Screaming floor dive

What do we learn? Emotional regulation starts with us. Whether we’re pacing over Bruno’s bookings or pausing for a cuddle during chaos—both require grace under pressure.

Being a fan and a father are parallel paths. You cheer when it’s messy. You believe when it’s hopeless. You show up, game after game. Tantrum after tantrum.

Mission Logs — Week 4

📖 Log 004: Dadnaut Down—And Why That’s Okay

Status: Crash-landed. Systems offline. Mood: Meh. Every now and then, I hit the wall. Creativity stalls. Parenting gets murky. NUFC has a bad week (again). And I feel like a Dadnaut whose jetpack fizzled mid-flight.

But here’s the twist—these moments are the fuel.

🔧 Pause for repairs. Stepping away isn’t quitting. It’s rerouting.
🛰️ Scan for new signals. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re just lying on the metaphorical floor.
🧭 Update the map. Goals shift, kids evolve, fandoms refresh. So should you.

This log is proof that being “down” doesn’t mean being out. Even Luke needed Dagobah.

️ David Hopkinson – A Global Visionary for NUFC’s CEO Role

Newcastle United’s boardroom evolution continues, and one name rising to the top of the CEO shortlist is David Hopkinson, a seasoned executive with a global pedigree in sports and entertainment. If appointed, Hopkinson would succeed Darren Eales, who is stepping down due to health reasons after a transformative tenure at St. James’ Park.

Hopkinson’s résumé reads like a masterclass in sports business leadership. He’s currently the President and COO of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp, overseeing iconic franchises like the New York Knicks and Rangers. Before that, he served as Global Head of Partnerships at Real Madrid, where he managed commercial strategy for one of the world’s most valuable football clubs. His earlier career includes over two decades at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, where he was Chief Commercial Officer, driving revenue across teams like the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Toronto FC.

What makes Hopkinson a compelling fit for Newcastle? First, his expertise in venue management could be pivotal as NUFC explores stadium redevelopment, including the proposed move to Leazes Park. His strategic oversight of venues like Madison Square Garden and the Las Vegas Sphere shows he understands how to turn iconic locations into revenue-generating hubs without compromising heritage.

Second, Hopkinson’s track record in global partnerships aligns with Newcastle’s ambitions to expand its brand internationally. His work with Real Madrid’s billion-strong fanbase and his leadership in securing naming rights deals (like Scotiabank Arena in Toronto) demonstrate his ability to unlock commercial potential while respecting club identity.

Finally, Hopkinson’s Canadian roots and board-level experience—including roles with Canada Basketball and Women’s College Hospital Foundation—highlight his commitment to community engagement and inclusive leadership. That ethos could resonate well with Newcastle’s passionate fanbase and the club’s growing women’s and academy programs.

In short, Hopkinson offers Newcastle a rare blend of global vision, commercial acumen, and venue strategy. If appointed, he could be the architect of NUFC’s next chapter—one that balances ambition with authenticity.

Let us know what you think of this potential appointment 

Wands, Wookie’s & Wipeout’s — Week 4

🧙 When Your Kid Wants to Be a Slytherin Sith

“Dad, why is Voldemort kind of cool?” It hits you between cereal spoon and school run. Your kid has gravitated toward the dark side—not just in story, but in spirit.

Here’s the thing: Being drawn to Slytherins or Siths doesn’t mean moral meltdown—it means they’re curious about power, complexity, and identity. So how do we guide without gating?

🟢 Validate the fascination. Slytherins value ambition. Siths challenge authority. These aren’t flaws—they’re facets.
🧠 Ask storytelling questions. “What would make Draco switch sides?” “Could Darth Vader be a better dad with therapy?” Let them rewrite the arcs.
❤️ Balance the narrative. Spotlight heroes who are misunderstood. Cue Neville Longbottom and Cal Kestis for the win.

Being a Dadnaut means navigating nuance. Let your child wear the Slytherin crest with pride—while teaching them the power of choosing light.

Dadnaut Toolkit — Week 4

🛠 Whiteboards & Wizardry: Tools That Actually Work

Welcome to the Lab. If you’re anything like me, your house has been taken over by scribbles: character arcs, snack schedules, impromptu NUFC lineups, and probably a reminder to buy more blue milk. The chaos needs containment—but not control.

Enter the Magic Whiteboard. Whether it’s a weekly mission planner, an ideas wall for the next Dadnaut installment, or a visual tracker for toddler emotions (it’s a real rollercoaster), this tool is pure wizardry. Here’s what works:

🪄 Dry-Erase Calendars: Perfect for parenting quests and Dadnaut deadlines.
🧩 Magnetic Icons: Assign emotions, chores, and fandom flair with custom pieces (think Slytherin shields for tricky moods).
🗂 Split Zones: Adult agenda on top, kid-friendly chaos below. Silhouettes and stickers = bonus engagement.

Real life isn’t Hogwarts, but we can borrow the best bits—like magical communication surfaces. And when your kid starts adding their own symbols? You’ve just recruited a co-pilot.