Jacob Murphy during the Newcastle United trophy parade
Jacob Murphy during the Newcastle United trophy parade (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
They are Newcastle United’s Renaissance Men who have gone from adversity to spectacular achievement. Maybe some wrote them off a bit too hastily, but they have had the last laugh, bouncing back in some style to become NUFC trophy winners and, let’s be truthful, we are more than happy for them. They have done us proud as well as themselves.
Who am I talking about? Oh, a load of Wembley winners led by their manager Eddie Howe. My, does he deserve a place in the sun even if Crystal Palace’s old owner, Simon Jordan, has kept forecasting he will get the sack!
Eddie was a run-of-the-mill player down in the lower reaches of the Football League but he has blossomed sensationally as a manager and master tactician. Before he came to Newcastle, he left Bournemouth where he had achieved miracles – from seeing off relegation into non-league football to rising into the Premier League. However, it is here that he has found a platform for his talents and become the first United manager since Joe Harvey in 1969 to win silverware.
What about the players? There are plenty who fit the description. Goal ace Dan Burn, of course. He is the biggest, literally, in every sense of the word. A giant. Trolley stacker to Wembley and England. But what of another big ’un? Joelinton. He was a failed centre-forward who cruelly almost became a joke figure, yet here he is United’s enforcer, a physical colossus who wins the arm wrestling in midfield and then becomes an attacker of pace and power. Has there ever been such a transformation of fortunes and playing position?
Sandro Tonali has risen from his bed of nails like Big Joe. He was banned from all football shortly after his arrival and it could easily have sunk him. Yet he has shown a depth of character and steel not previously recognised. From a lost boy has come a resilient man who is now the heartbeat of a great midfield trio. He is the foundation, the glue that keeps it together and allows his two Brazilian friends to get on with their thing.
Jacob Murphy has been here longer than the Tyne Bridge, or so it seems. He came in the Rafa Benitez era and survived the reign of Steve Bruce while never more than a decent sub seen fleetingly off the bench. Until this season under Eddie when he has blossomed into an outside-right of stature who produced the assist for United’s Carabao Cup winner.
Which brings me on neatly to the guy who got it. Alexander Isak was a sub two years ago in the same final. Can you believe that! Yet he has become one of Europe’s greatest goalscorers of grace, subtlety, and ferocious finishing.
Newcastle United trophy parade: 15 best photos as Eddie Howe and Toon heroes lift cup on Town Moor
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Kieran Trippier had looked finished here, age having caught up with one of United’s most influential signings. From skipper to reserve...until Lewis Hall got injured, necessitating Tino Livramento to switch from right-back to left. However, the years rolled away for Tripps at Wembley, where he was back to his best, his unerring beautifully pinged corner landing on the head of 6ft 7in Burn and from there lashed into the net. Liverpool were breached and they never recovered.
Finally, we have to mention Nick Pope. He missed the final two years ago after an inexplicable red card and ban and here he might have missed out again after an injury let in Martin Dubravka, who did brilliantly in his absence. Who was to get the call? Tyneside was split but Howe was not for turning. He went with his No 1 and the job got done.
United winning their first domestic trophy in 70 years has sent everyone wild. I have been inundated with messages from around the world, all gurgling over our long exile being ended. My old mate Ian Le Frenais – creator of the Likely Lads, Auf, Wiedersehen Pet and Porridge among many other TV hits – used to travel Europe with me in the old Fairs Cup days. He phoned at 9.30 in the morning Los Angeles time (kick-off here) so we could wish each other all the best. The emails flashed back and forth across the Atlantic after our impossible dream became a reality.
I have received messages from Hong Kong, Australia, Spain and Malta. My old Gateshead centre-forward Paul Thompson, a huge Newcastle fan who played for Stevenage against Alan Shearer and Newcastle in the FA Cup, reckons he can die happy now.
I also heard from Steve Watson, who played for United in the 1998 FA Cup final, from Sir John Hall wanting to arrange a celebration lunch, Tyneside’s only ever world boxing champion Glenn McCrory, Tony Boullemier, who was with me in Budapest working for our sister paper the Journal. Jeff Brown, the former anchor at BBC Look North, was on to me.
I could go on and on but I won’t. You get the message. Geordies care.