Looking expensive. Flights from Southampton are £190, cheapest train I could find was just over £100.
Looks like the cheapest option is driving. About £160 on fuel for me, makes it fairly reasonable when split between 4. Planning to drive up to Newcastle on the Friday, train back down to Middlesbrough Saturday morning, back to Newcastle for another night out then home Sunday.
Couldn't care less whether it's a promotion decider (although it would be nice), it's going to be a top weekend.