Dan Burn was the Wembley hero for Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup win over Liverpool.
A sea of black and white descended on London in March to roar the Magpies to success. Covent Garden was rammed 24 hours before kick-off and Newcastle shirts could be seen from all angles on cup final weekend.
Thousands travelled without tickets just to sample the atmosphere as Eddie Howe’s men aimed to end 70 years without domestic silverware. And they were not let down, with Newcastle flying out the blocks before putting the Premier League leaders - who clinched the title a month later - to the sword.
Burn proved the local hero with a bullet header that is now etched in Newcastle fans’ minds. Released from his boyhood club as a schoolboy, the 6ft 7in defender came full circle and is now immortalised at St James’ Park.
Wembley went banners at the full-time whistle with tears of joy emanating around the West Stand. The party continued for a fortnight and climaxed at the city-centre trophy celebrations - attended by over 300,000 supporters.
Dan Burn on Newcastle United fans
Speaking to the High Performance podcast, Burn acknowledged how Newcastle outfought Liverpool on the terraces as much as they did on the Wembley pitch three months ago. He said: “When you looked and saw the Newcastle fans compared to the Liverpool fans and, don't get me wrong, Liverpool are an unbelievable team that are used to playing in finals and winning things - we're not.
“I'm not speaking for them but that might not have meant as much for them as it did to us. The League Cup final was the be-all and end-all for us whereas, for them, it was like just another trophy.”
Trophy drought a ‘burden’
Burn also admitted the 70-year domestic wait added extra pressure on the Toon players before taking to the field. He added: “It (the trophy drought) was such a burden. I didn't want to admit that - but it was a burden… 70 years without a trophy is a burden. That's all people speak about and we'd been there the first time but didn’t perform. I just wanted to give the crowd something to shout about.”
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Alan Shearer on trophy parade
Club icon Alan Shearer was a lot more open about his emotions while reflecting on his appearance at the Town Moor event. He said in March: "That moment, when I actually walked out and saw northwards 150,000 people in black-and-white shirts and them cheering my name, that moment will live with me forever.
"It really was just an incredible moment and it was so, so special. I said if I couldn't win one myself, I had to be there as a fan. I was there a couple of weeks ago and I was there for the trophy parade.
"What I will say is, if Newcastle are lucky enough to go on and win other trophies, like Chelsea or Man City did, I cannot see it being as good as this one has been because of all the excitement and how long it has been.
"The parade, the match and everything, I just cannot see it being as good as this one. They're just a one-club city and we love our football. We've been starved of success for so many years. I think it was just a relief that we eventually got over the line and we love our football.”
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