70 years of hurt??? You would need to be as old as me to claim that… | OneFootball

Newcastle United and 70 years of hurt?

For most of us, it can’t be.

Maybe 20 years, 40 perhaps.

However, you would have to be as old as me for it to be 70.

In 1955, I stood by the side of the A1 road near Newark (in Nottinghamshire) waving at the supporters buses on their way to Wembley. I lived in Newark, but my dad was a proud Geordie and wanted to show his support.

On Saturday, I drove down to London, stopping at the very same spot – 70 years later – to have my photo taken, twirling my black and white scarf.

There have been many disappointments on the way to Sunday’s victory.

I mostly saw the Lads when they played close to Newark – Forest, Leicester, Derby, Sheffield United and Wednesday, Rotherham. Years without seeing them win.

A rare journey to the north-east gave me the opportunity to see them at St James’ Park. They lost to Bedford Town in the FA Cup! Losing at Lincoln City in another cup game; me and my dad seemed to be the only people supporting Newcastle United.

Disappointing yes, but did it hurt? Only once; in 1996 when we came so close to winning the League. For the vast majority of those years expectations were low, so it didn’t hurt.

At the final whistle on Sunday I leapt around, cheering wildly, ecstatic. A tear in my eye.

As I left Wembley, the excitement was still there, but I felt a deeper emotion. Satisfaction.

After all these years I’d been able to see them win a domestic trophy.

You appreciate it in a different way when you have had to wait so long. Well done Lads.

I don’t want to be greedy, but can you win something else? Quite soon.