Excitement as Newcastle fans prepare for cup final


Evie Lake

BBC News, North East and Cumbria

grey placeholderHENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images A crowd of Newcastle United fans singing with their hands in the air in Covent Garden. Someone is holding a flare.HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images

Newcastle United fans took over Covent Garden on Saturday

Excitement is building on Tyneside and at Wembley as Newcastle United prepare to take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

More than 32,000 fans have travelled to London, with many taking over Covent Garden on Saturday.

Supporters are hopeful the Magpies will return to St James’s Park with their first major trophy since 1969.

In Newcastle, people are already lining up outside fan zones and pubs across the city ahead of 16:30 GMT kick off.

Lifelong supporter Kevin said he had witnessed the Magpies score only one goal in seven visits to Wembley.

“Mostly it’s been very disappointing, but great occasions,” he said.

But when asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if he believed his team could win this time, he said yes.

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grey placeholderHENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images A group of fans with a Newcastle United flag in Covent Garden looking happy and excited.HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images

Covent Garden was turned into a sea of black and white shirts as fans gathered in the capital on Saturday

grey placeholderMichelle Mercer/Getty Images A woman with black and white sunglasses and a black and white top stands between two men with Newcastle United shirts.Michelle Mercer/Getty Images

Some fans have waited more than 50 years for trophy success

BBC Radio Newcastle’s Matt Bailey, who is broadcasting live from Wembley Way, has also heard from fans from around the world, cheering on Eddie Howe’s men.

Tracey, who is currently in Cyprus, said she was feeling positive because the umbrellas on the local beach were black and white.

“If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is,” Bailey said.

grey placeholderMichelle Mercer/Getty Images A bulldog wearing a Newcastle United shirtMichelle Mercer/Getty Images

Everyone got in on the action

The last trophy for the club was in 1969, the old Fairs Cup, but the 1955 FA Cup was the club’s last domestic success.

Alan Shearer, who captained Newcastle in the 1999 FA Cup final, said he “will be as nervous as any supporter”.

I know I am biased but if any set of fans deserves a trophy it is the Newcastle supporters because of their passion, their loyalty and how they have stuck by the team over the years,” he wrote for BBC Sport.

grey placeholderA queue of people standing outside St James' STACK which is made up of black shipping containers.

Supporters in Newcastle are already lining up outside pubs and fan zones

On Saturday, the iconic Angel of the North statue in Gateshead was draped in a black and white shirt, with crowds of people turning up to take photos.

One fan, Steph who brought her family to see it, said: “It just represents so much as well about pride in the city and bringing people together.

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge spanning the River Tyne also displayed a banner.

grey placeholderThe Angel of the North with a black and white Newcastle United shirt hanging from its body. People can be seen at the bottom of the hill.

A famous landmark displayed support for the home team



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