Newcastle's latest strip? Not quite... British ex-pat living in Qatar has Magpies-themed outfit

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 03:00 EDT, 5 January 2012

Toon Army: James Charnock has taken his love for the Magpies a step further by having a Newcastle United-themed 'thobe' tailor made

Newcastle fans are regarded among the best in the world.

But one British ex-pat has taken his passion for the club a sartorial step further.

James Charnock, who now lives in Qatar with his family, has baffled locals by wearing a tailor-made Newcastle United-themed robe.

Mr Charnock, 40, decided to don the country's traditional 'thobe' to cope with the 50degree heat.

But, unimpressed with the plain colours on offer in local shops, the Geordie teacher got creative.

The impressive garment - complete with the club's crest and kit sponsor Northern Rock emblazoned on it - is now causing a stir.

With the World Cup controversially heading to Qatar in 2022, football is becoming popular in the country and Mr Charnock catches every Newcastle match on TV.

But when he wears his new robe on matchdays, he receives strange looks and is laughed at by amused residents in the city of Mesaieed.

Mr Charnock, who has twins Georgina and Joseph, 12, with wife Pauline, 46, said: 'I often wear the thobe when Newcastle come on the box and have had many laughs and strange looks from colleagues and students at school.

'The tailor was a bit shocked at my request but he did a great job, and it is so much cooler in the hot weather.

'I'll be back in Newcastle for the Easter break so hope to give it an airing at St James' Park.'

The British ex-pat, who is originally from Ashington, Northumberland, emigrated to the scorching state in 2008 to become an IT teacher in Mesaieed International School.

He paid 500 Qatar Rials (around £80) for the thobe and is planning a return trip to the tailor to order an away strip version in bright orange.

He said: 'I see all the games here on television which is brilliant. Football is growing here with Qatar hosting the World Cup.

'I'm trying my best to convert colleagues and the kids into Toon Army fans so there's a little corner of Qatar that is Newcastle.

'I've been supporting Newcastle since 1985 when I was first taken to a match against Watford.

'I think Paul Gascoigne was the Newcastle scorer that day. I was a regular attender to almost every home match.'

Qatar is the lowest populated country ever to host the World Cup. The state is the world's largest producer of both oil and natural gas.

Qatar has been ruled as an absolute monarchy by the Al Thani family since the mid-19th Century.