Dan Burn: "I’d be delighted if I got to the World Cup!" | OneFootball

The Magpies’ hero went into this week’s qualifiers against Serbia and Albania hoping to bank another brace of senior caps under Thomas Tuchel.

And speaking after picking up the prestigious Sport Newcastle Sporting Success of the Year award, the 33-year-old said: “Playing at a World Cup was something I always wanted to do.

“For a long time it probably felt as if it wasn't going to happen. I feel like I was playing at a certain level for a long time and was probably unlucky not to be called up before. But the new manager came in and suddenly I was given the opportunity.

"I’ve been buzzing ever since that first call up. I'm just so proud to represent my country and I just want to keep ticking off those camps. I’d be delighted if I got to the World Cup!

“I feel like sometimes if you say it out loud, it gets manifested. So, that's what I'm doing!”

Burn wasn’t the only Newcastle United winner at the Sport Newcastle Annual Awards Dinner on a night dominated by the Magpies.

The club won Team of the Year after ending a 55-year wait for major silverware — Burn on the scoresheet as Eddie Howe’s men beat Liverpool 2-1 in last season’s Carabao Cup final.

And rising stars Sean Neave, Charlotte Wardlaw and Les Yeutembip all received awards recognising their progress in a black and white shirt with Sport Newcastle patron and United Academy Director Steve Harper on hand to make the presentations.

Burn is a big believer in chasing your dreams and he added: “I think there's a few words that I use to sum up how I’ve got here and how the next generation can do the same. I'd say grit and resilience are key.

“I feel like I've had so many knock-backs and I think if you want to do anything in your life, you will have to be uncomfortable and take those knock-backs. It's how you react to that and I've always wanted to put everything I possibly can into becoming a footballer.

"Whether that happened or didn't, I knew that I'd be able to live with that. To all of the Rising Stars who picked up awards at the Sport Newcastle dinner I would just say that if you're passionate about something and you love something enough, never give up and keep moving forward.”

Burn is an inspiration to a city and a region that lauds its local heroes. Alan Shearer — another Sport Newcastle patron — is a prime example and one of Burn’s biggest supporters.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that was going to be a possibility,” added a player who rose through the non-league ranks and remains a huge advocate of grassroots sport and is committed to inspiring the next generation.

“I’ve been very lucky to get given the opportunities that have come my way. But I don't think there was any luck in the way that I took those opportunities.

“To be part of a Newcastle team that's won a domestic trophy for the first time in 70 years is something that I'll never forget.

“I’ve never experienced anything like the feeling when we scored the first goal against Liverpool.

“The first final was so disappointing. We didn’t give our fans anything to shout about that day and we really wanted to put that right second time around.”

Burn continues to write his name into Newcastle folklore — a magnificent opener against Athletic Club in this season’s Champions League made headlines across the world.

But the towering defender remains incredibly humble as he looks to rewrite history for club and country.

“Playing for my hometown club is everything I’ve dreamt of,” he added.

"I still get emotional now when I hear Local Hero. When I'm running out before kick-off I have to compose myself.

“I've always said I'm very proud to be from the North East and to be a Geordie and be associated with the city of Newcastle. It’s something that I never, ever take for granted.”

Burn follows a long line of Newcastle United stars to gain recognition from Sport Newcastle with Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne, Shearer, Eddie Howe and more all honoured by the pioneering charity.

But Sport Newcastle’s primary aim for more than half a century has been to support the region’s Rising Stars — the charity has awarded thousands of grants to young athletes, their coaches and clubs and continues to back the next generation at home and abroad.

For more information or to make a donation visit sportnewcastle.com