Finally

I never believed that I would see it in my lifetime, yet Newcastle United have won some silverware! I was too young to remember the Fairs Cup win of 1969 and wasn’t even born in the great days of the FA Cup wins in the fifties. It has been a long time coming and they are going to have to buy a new cabinet.

Like most people in the city and its surroundings, I follow the team but can’t claim to be a supporter. I go perhaps once or twice a year if I am lucky yet in the 70s it was very different. I used to go to every home match religiously and as many away games as I could face or afford. It was more of a calling then, with wooden buildings, standing in the Leases end free flowing drink and the rest. Then there was the ever present threat of violence, sometimes from your fellow supporters who clearly came for a fight. Quiet parts of the game were particularly threatening.

It was hard work, getting there about two hours before the game started and waiting in the boys gate for the privilege of seeing stars such as Malcom McDonald and John Tudor (RIP) et al. Sometimes we would win, while others we would lose and happiness was finishing thirteenth in the league. FA cups were a disappointment, usually going out to some team several leagues below. 

Still, I am delighted for the team who got into Liverpool in every way and plates their socks off. Liverpool didn’t seem to turn up until towards the end of the second half and the last 20 minutes or so were very tense. I am particularly pleased for Dan Burn, whose opening goal was a fairy tale and Eddie Howe who seems to me to be a very decent bloke and deserves to be up there with the best.

After all that, the excitement and delight I am left with a peculiar feeling of emptiness. I am left thinking what next? Ok, so the team has won something but let’s put that behind us and get on with the next challenge. Newcastle are guaranteed European football next season in some form or other yet the Champions League still beckons. 

What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just bask in the moment and be happy for the team and the city. I suspect though that Eddie Howe is having the very same feelings. They say that you are only as good as your last match. For the next fortnight at least then, they will be very good.