IT MUST have been Madhouse-upon-Tyne after Newcastle United ended their 56-year trophy drought and lifted the Football League (EFL) Cup at Wembley Stadium on March 16. Almost a week later, the town was still buzzing, flags were still waving and everybody wanted to talk about the day Eddie Howe’s team beat Liverpool 2-1 and finally won a major prize.
There are few more football crazy places than Newcastle and given it’s a one-club city (actually, Newcastle Blue Star of the Northern League second division blows a little hole in that claim), almost everyone supports the Magpies. They are not just a football club, they are also representatives of the North-East and its regional identity. Despite decades of disappointment, they are as well supported as ever.
Celebrations were compared to a pressure-valve being suddenly opened, even if many of the revellers couldn’t quite believe Newcastle United had actually won silverware. Everybody now wants to join in, from hotels flying black and white banners to shops, libraries and even postboxes declaring their love for the club. Most neutrals were pleased Newcastle won and not just because they might not have much affection for Liverpool. Anyone who remembers Kevin Keegan’s mid-1990s team of entertainers or even the days of Malcolm Macdonald, Gazza or Peter Beardsley has some degree of affection for the club. A trophy was long overdue – their last success in 1969 was in a competition that has passed into history, even if the Inter-Cities’ Fairs Cup was a very eye-catching bauble.
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Success is so important for Newcastle United for more reasons than satisfying their loyal supporters who, since the Fairs Cup triumph have seen them lose five finals at Wembley. In this age of elitism, Newcastle sit just outside the very top bracket despite having the potential to upgrade from economy class. When Mike Ashley sold to middle eastern investors – there was not a single mention of Saudi Arabia during the Game of the People visit – the assumption was that the all-stars would be hired and trophies would arrive on a gilded conveyor belt. But the concept of inflated investment was stymied by new regulations, so Newcastle were unable to adopt the fast-track approach taken by Chelsea and Manchester City in the early days of their reincarnation. The new owners brought in a decent manager in Howe and once the ship had been stabilised, a new team took shape. Newcastle are a top six team by resources, but have not quite attained the consistency required to be contenders.
Regardless of spending limitations, they know what they need to do to become regular winners of objet d’art and that begins with keeping faith with a good manager and equally importantly, ensuring their recruitment strategy is best in class. Now the first trophy has been won by the Saudi regime, they will expect more. “It is going to be a roller-coaster from now on,” said one Newcastle United employee. “This is just the start… but it is such a massive relief.”
Tears flowed in Newcastle after the final whistle because two, maybe three, generations have never known anything like it. But nothing is guaranteed and while the Premier League has its share of uber clubs, Newcastle will have to wait in line. In other words, they may want trophies, but so will Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and others. Right now, Newcastle have the chance to be the fourth club, overtaking Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur of the “big six”. They may be able to add to the EFL Cup by finishing in the top four this season and qualify for the Champions League. A few years in the top club competition will help elevate the status of Newcastle.
St. James’ Park is an impressive and really quite huge stadium, but there is talk of a move to a new site, which may or may not be on the footprint of the current arena. The ground is very central and all roads seem to lead to the Gallowgate. If they were to move – nobody wanted to answer that question – there might be a huge outcry among the fans. It is a signpost and navigation point for the city, but they cannot do much more to it as building higher will block out natural light for the very notable houses in Leazes Terrace and other surrounding streets. “Everyone is entitled to light,” said the Newcastle representative.
Newcastle United have been called a sleeping giant and an underachiever, but they will not be allowed to drift into anonymity again. The seal has been broken and the Saudi Arabian owners will doubtless be anticipating a bid for the Premier and Champions League very soon. It’s what they bought the club for.