Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, William Osula and Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrate with the trophy after winning the Carabao Cup Final
Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, William Osula and Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrate with the trophy after winning the Carabao Cup Final
Honestly, I think it has to be confronted - Newcastle United get very little wrong these glorious days but I feel they have made a big ricket with their Wembley celebration plans. They have misjudged the will of the city.
What loyal fans - fans who support from cradle to grave - want after 70 years of waiting for domestic success is an all embracing day for literally every one of them which translates to a traditional open-top bus parade through the city.
What they don't want is an exclusive ticketed, restricted event on the Town Moor set around a large main stage featuring a DJ and live band. An event which requires supporters to register in advance with the club warning that registration does not guarantee access. The occasion should not be for the privileged or lucky few, not just for the young wishing to party, but for every single Geordie aged one to 100 who looks at life through black and white eyes.
No one should be preferred be it through the age of the DJ or having a season ticket.
I have been inundated with messages from supporters saddened and dispirited at what is being suggested and I can understand why. Football is about tradition, an open decked bus is tradition, and it allows all to stand as one along the roadside to hail their heroes. No one should be excluded. Grandads deserve to be shoulder to shoulder with their grandsons, fathers with their sons and daughters all decked in Magpie colours. Everyone who wants to pay homage to Eddie and Mad Dog, Bruno and Big Joe, BDB, Tripps, Tino, and Tonali ought to be allowed that access.
I was there as a little lad in 1955 when the FA Cup was brought home and there again in a more official capacity in 1969 when the European Fairs Cup was paraded down roads packed with the joyful. I felt the joy as a kid and the pride as an adult. I felt a part of everything.
When it was first suggested that the Town Moor was favourite I raised an eyebrow, felt an unease, but still hoped there would be a parade through the streets to the Moor.
However now the club have released details I'm afraid the event doesn't cover the needs of all who care and call NUFC their spiritual home. The heartbeat of the club is its supporters and they must always be considered otherwise United, rightly or wrongly, leave themselves open to accusations that with no Geordie who gets it in a prominent high position making key decisions ordinary folk have been overlooked. It is difficult for some people to think other than this is merely a corporate sponsor-led affair rather than an outpouring of love from the rank and file.
If there is to be no street parade en route to the music party, and there was certainly no hint of one in United's official statement, then I would hope there is still time for reality to sink in and the club to work with the authorities to add to what is due to happen on Saturday.
We Geordies thank everyone at SJP for what they have given us since the takeover, we really do, but please do not bar a vast portion of the masses after our greatest Wembley day in seven decades.
Eddie Howe has repeatedly stated that United's fans home and away give the black and whites an edge like no other with their passion, loyalty, devotion, and relentless support. He reckons his squad would not have been able to achieve what they have without their '12th man.' Those in the stadium and those at home willing them on. Therefore let a black and white celebration be for literally everyone - all included - and not for the privileged selected minority.