Newcastle United's England international (from left) Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon, Tino LIvramento and Lewis Hall
Newcastle United's England international (from left) Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon, Tino LIvramento and Lewis Hall
It was Dr Hook who famously sang "when you are in love with a beautiful woman" telling the trials and tribulations of envious glances.
It's hard, the good doctor told us and, yes, United will still have to withstand the stare of the jealous this summer even though trophy success ought to have scattered the vultures. Many would love our best players and will try to sabotage the feel-good factor currently sweeping a city basking in satisfaction.
I wrote a defiant column last week stating that Newcastle's blue-chip players need no longer look away to achieve their dreams because the Mags have proved to all that they are ready to storm the privileged ground of England's greatest clubs. I stand by that.
Who would have thought last season that a year on Newcastle would boast three current England internationals in their back four. Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall were concentrating on establishing themselves at club level never mind the Three Lions while Dan Burn was an elder statesman happy to be a fixture and help younger team-mates feel at home.
Looking at the trio now tells everyone why players should be desperate to come to Newcastle and why those here don't need to leave. Let Big Dan, Tino, and little Lewis along with Anthony Gordon set the template. None were England internationals when they arrived, all are now. That's what can happen when you join this club.
In claiming silverware for the first time in yonks United successfully smashed their glass ceiling and proved they can go on to greater things now the stigma of constant failure has been lifted. That should convince the players of lift off but unfortunately won't stop other clubs from mischief making. They will still attempt to rock a steady boat in the faint hope that rich pickings can be found in unsettled seas.
Two things following a trophy win can also help to repel all invaders. First as we renew PL hostilities against Brentford let United over their 10-match run to the finish line clinch Champions League football.
Then let us see who comes in this summer to further encourage the thought in-house of significant progress. Unlike the last three windows which were depressing and deflating it should be very different this time. I expect much activity.
Finally while United have claimed the league cup this season what have others done? More often than not of recent times Arsenal have been the bridesmaid rather than bride. Manchester City have hit the buffers, Tottenham are well Spursey, Man U are a mess, and Chelsea are renowned for a never ending line of players bought and then ignored. We are not out of our depth, small timers thinking big time. We can stand proud and tall among the competition.
However in our elation and appreciation let us manage to keep some sense of proportion. There is talk of freedom of the city being bestowed upon Eddie Howe (Newcastle) and Dan Burn (Northumberland) but when it comes to statues let us wait a tad. Wait until a person's career at St James Park is over so we can judge final achievements against those of others. Who knows, Eddie may get a bronze at the new stadium and Alexander Isak may stand next to Alan Shearer if he stays here and continues to score a'plenty.
By the way Freedom of Newcastle means Howe lining up alongside the likes of Sir Bobby Robson, Wor Jackie, Jimmy Carter, Stevie Wonder, Bob Geldof, Alan Shearer, Jonathan Edwards, Nelson Mandela, Basil Cardinal Hume, and Brendan Foster. As for Big Dan his Northumberland roll of honour entry would rank him with TV scriptwriter Ian La Frenais and super successful England footballer Lucy Bronze.
We've all been awash with celebrations this past fortnight and there was a special double one this week. Those of the Magpie Group who are still walking Newcastle got together for a special lunch to celebrate United's awesome Wembley win and the 92nd birthday of Sir John Hall who was the godfather of the Entertainers of course.
Sir John was in good voice as myself, John Waugh and Alan Rooney joined him on the Quayside full in our praise of Howe and his Merry Magpies.
"We played our part," maintained Hall and indeed his NUFC must be both a target and inspiration to Eddie. Two successive Premier League runners-up finishes remain United's highest league position since the title was last won in 1927, almost a century ago. Mind you if the current Newcastle top that we'll all be mightily pleased because they will have won the title!
Non-league still plays such a huge role
It was officially Non-League Day last Saturday and having spent 11 years with Gateshead grass roots football remains close to my heart. So here to salute the occasion is a team of Newcastle United players who started in non-league:
Nick Pope (Bury Town); Stuart Pearce (Wealdstone), Darren Peacock (Newport) Dan Burn (Blyth Spartans), Frank Clark (Crook Town); John Barnes (Sudbury), Warren Barton (Leytonstone), Ernie Taylor (Hylton Colliery), Chris Waddle (Tow Law); Malcolm Macdonald (Tonbridge), Les Ferdinand (Hayes).
If my count is right that's NINE England internationals in my 11. Not bad eh?
There have been many more non-league starters of course including FA Cup winners Len White (Upton Colliery) and Bobby Cowell (Blackhall Colliery Welfare), John Tudor (Ilkeston Town), Dave Beasant (Edgeware Town), Micky Burns (Skelmersdale), and Alan Shoulder (Blyth Spartans) but you get the message. Football needs our little brethren.