Ninety five year old toon fan John Beeby from Newburn who's gunning for Newcastle to win on Sunday at Wembley
Ninety five year old toon fan John Beeby from Newburn who's gunning for Newcastle to win on Sunday at Wembley
Newcastle United's 'oldest' season ticket holder has sent a good luck message to his beloved team ahead of the Carabao Cup Final.
John Beeby, 95, from Newburn, secured his first season ticket back in 1948, costing £12. And since then he has attended an impressive 1,777 games "and counting", including The Magpie's Carabao Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley in 2023 at the age of 93.
John, who had always dreamed of seeing his club play in a cup final, said: "The Newcastle end was brilliant. The Man United end you wouldn't hear until they scored, but we had all the flags from Wor Flags and everything, it was great."
Despite the incredible memories from the game, John admits that he struggled with the walk along Wembley Way to the stadium and has decided to watch Sunday's match against Liverpool with his daughter's at home.
"As long as they play well, that will do me", said John, adding: [If they win] I've got a bottle of cava, I'll drink the whole thing."
In a message to the team ahead of the game he said: "Get into them, give them a good game."
Ninety five year old toon fan John Beeby from Newburn who's gunning for Newcastle to win on Sunday at Wembley (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The former Swan Hunter's Shipyard worker was 17 years old when he attended his first Newcastle match with his older brother to see Newcastle take on Bradford. Since then he has only missed a handful of home games, one of which was due to his daughter's wedding.
Today, he is still watching his team play at St James' Park from his seat at the top of the East Stand. His daughter Daniella said: "Dad sits at the top of the East Stand and it's starting to become a struggle for him to get up and down the stairs.
"A lot of people are really friendly at the match and when they see him going up with his stick they help him up and down the stairs, but it is getting hard for him now."
John added: "As long as I can walk I'll be there."
He explained that he has attended some "great games" over the years, including the one-off Coronation Cup in May 1953 to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He said his favourite player of all time is Bobby Mitchell who was signed by Newcastle in 1949 and spent 13 years at the club.
But out off all the managers Newcastle has seen through the years, John said current manager Eddie Howe has been his favourite as "he's straight talking and doesn't make any excuses. He talks about the game."
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