Newcastle Chases Immortality: Aiming To End Their Trophy Drought At Last

Devoted Newcastle United fans gather daily to pay their respects to the statues outside St James’ Park stadium, which towers over the city center like a grand cathedral.

The bronze statue of Jackie Milburn holds a special place in the hearts of older fans, while younger supporters are more accustomed to the statue of record goalscorer Alan Shearer, captured in his iconic arm-aloft celebration.

Another one immortalizes former manager Bobby Robson’s memorable five-year reign at his boyhood club.

But it’s the one of Milburn, affectionately known on Tyneside as ‘Wor Jackie,’ which epitomizes the connection the club has with the city’s population and just how long ago it was that they actually had the chance to celebrate a major trophy.

Milburn, whose long-standing goal record was surpassed by Shearer in 2006, scored the opening goal just a minute into Newcastle’s 3-1 triumph over Manchester City in the 1955 FA Cup final.

It was the club’s sixth FA Cup title and third in five years, but since then, the Magpies have endured decades of false dawns with the only additions to the trophy cabinet the long-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, second-division titles, and layers of dust.

There have been some near misses and gallant failures.

Former player Kevin Keegan made a triumphant return, much like a prodigal son, guiding the team to two consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League during the mid-90s.

Notably, Newcastle infamously squandered a 12-point lead in the 1995-96 season, ultimately being edged out by Manchester United.

There were consecutive tame FA Cup final defeats in 1998 and 1999 and two years ago, flushed with money after being bought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, they lost to Manchester United in the League Cup final.

As runaway Premier League leaders and League Cup holders, Liverpool presents a significant challenge.

However, there is a sense that underdog Newcastle is more prepared this time than they were against United.

With Sweden’s Alexander Isak on their side, they possess a striker who has the potential to become a new Geordie legend.

Not that the 25-year-old, who has scored 22 goals in 32 appearances this season, is too versed in Newcastle folklore.

“I didn’t have too much knowledge, but my football knowledge in general is pretty bad,” Isak told reporters on Friday. “Alan Shearer, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, that’s kind of where it stops.

“I think you find out quite quickly about the greats and about the history of the club. And yeah, I’m trying to create my own history. I’m happy with what I’ve done so far.”

Cup final fever has broken out in Newcastle with school children given permission to ditch the uniform and wear black and white stripes.

Thousands upon thousands will board trains for London on Sunday morning hoping for the best.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes says he has dreamt about lifting the trophy since being left in tears two years ago.

“I want tears of happiness this time. Everyone knows how emotional I am,” Guimaraes said. “I always try to give everything that I have on the pitch to play as a fan because I know what it means for them. Hopefully, everything is going to be good for us on the day.”

Newcastle have not managed to score in their last three finals, and the most recent player to find the back of the net for the club at Wembley was Rob Lee, who did so in an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea nearly 25 years ago.

“I spoke with Rob Lee. I touched his feet to give me a little bit of luck,” Guimaraes said. “We want to make thousands and thousands of Geordies happy. We’re going to do our best to get this trophy back to the city.”