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Two Newcastle United stars were recognised at the Sport Newcastle Awards on Thursday.
Newcastle United defender Dan Burn and Under-21s forward Sean Neave have both been given awards by Sport Newcastle for their contributions in 2025.
Burn is currently away on international duty with England, so was not physically present at the ceremony at Newcastle Civic Centre on Thursday evening, but did record a short video accepting the ‘Sporting Success Award’.
Sport Newcastle posted: “Dan’s unforgettable winning goal in the Carabao Cup Final, a moment that changed Newcastle United’s history forever, cemented his place in history. Congratulations to Dan Burn, winner of the Sporting Success Award!”
Dan Burn on NUFC Carabao Cup win
Upon accepting the award, which recognised his goal in the 2-1 Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in March, Burn said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was ever going to be a possibility. I’m very lucky that I was given the opportunities I was.
“I don’t think there’s any luck in the way I’ve taken those opportunities, but I’m very lucky to be getting them and be part of a Newcastle team that has won a trophy for the first time in 70 years, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
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Newcastle United youngster wins prestigious award
Neave was also part of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup winning squad back in March and had the unique distinction of lifting a trophy and picking up a medal as a Magpies player before even making his debut for the club.
The 18-year-old has impressed at Under-21s level this year and regularly trained with Eddie Howe’s first-team squad. While he’s yet to make his competitive debut for United, he did feature for the club in pre-season friendly matches.
Neave scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for Newcastle’s academy sides last season as he stepped up from Under-18s into the Under-21s group. This season, he has six goals to his name in 15 appearances.
And his efforts were recognised by winning the Wor Jackie Award, named in honour of Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn. The Wor Jackie Award ‘celebrates athletes who embody true Newcastle spirit’ and is presented to the club’s young player of the year.
Last year it was won by goalkeeper Aidan Harris while notable previous winners include the likes of Lewis Miley (2023), Elliot Anderson (2022), Andy Carroll (2007), Peter Ramage (2003), Freddie Woodman (2018), Adam Armstrong (2014), Sammy Ameobi (2013) and Nile Ranger (2009) - most of whom went on to establish themselves at the top level.
Upon winning the award, Neave said: “It means a lot to me to win this award obviously as a Newcastle fan and coming from the city in the club.
“Obviously the passion in this club, it's just one club and everyone in the city loves Newcastle. I don't think you can get one person in Newcastle who doesn't like Newcastle so obviously it means a lot to me winning this award.
“I've supported the club since I was young, since I was born really so obviously making my debut in pre-season against Celtic was one of the best moments I've had so far in my career and then the cup final, that was an unbelievable moment as well, obviously winning some silverware with the club, it was just unbelievable.
“Playing for the club and playing for my boyhood club, it's just been top man.”
Despite being born a year after Alan Shearer retired, Neave named the Newcastle legend as his ‘big inspiration’.
“[Shearer] was a big inspiration for me growing up,” Neave said. “Obviously in the same position as me, he's a striker, he's number nine, he's a goal scorer so looked up to him a lot, he scored a lot of goals and hopefully I can do the same in my career.”
Given his success at youth level, Neave will now be pushing to make his competitive debut for Newcastle this season having made the first-team bench on a number of occasions already.
And head coach Howe has described Neave as a ‘goalscorer’ having watched him deliver in training.
Speaking last season, Howe said: "We have used him in various roles but what I will say is he is a goalscorer. We find in training and practice games he will pop up with a goal which is a great skill to have!
"He’s doing very well. He’s very young and I need reminding of that sometimes because he is competing on an even field technically. Physically, he has a lot of growth to come, he has to fill out his body. It is probably now about finding him a set position.”
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