Newcastle United fans at Wembley hoping for Carabao Cup final win

Excitement is building on Tyneside and at Wembley as Newcastle United prepare to take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

More than 32,000 fans have travelled to London, with many taking over Covent Garden on Saturday.

Supporters are hopeful the Magpies will return to St James’ Park with their first major trophy since 1969.

In Newcastle, people are already lining up outside fan zones and pubs across the city ahead of 16:30 GMT kick off.

Lifelong supporter Kevin said he had witnessed the Magpies score only one goal in seven visits to Wembley.

“Mostly it’s been very disappointing, but great occasions,” he said.

But when asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if he believed his team could win this time, he said yes.

BBC Radio Newcastle’s Matt Bailey, who was broadcasting live from Wembley Way, heard from fans from around the world cheering on Eddie Howe’s men.

Tracey, who is currently in Cyprus, said she was feeling positive because the umbrellas on the local beach were black and white.

“If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is,” Bailey said.

Newcastle, however, are without key players.

Anthony Gordon is currently serving a three-match ban after getting a red card against Brighton in the FA Cup.

Lewis Hall and Sven Botman have also been ruled out through injury.

Supporters John and Joe told BBC Radio Newcastle they were feeling anxious and excited after travelling down from Cheshire this morning.

“I’m 47 and I haven’t seen us win anything,” said John.

“England and Newcastle, I haven’t seen anyone win anything in my life. So today’s the day I think.”

John said when he left the house this morning he saw two magpies.

“That’s the thing, 2-0, that’s where it’s going to go,” he said.

“We’ve got to do it.”

Rebecca, a university chaplain from Wallsend, North Tyneside, said she had been to mass to prepare for the game.

“I’ve said the prayers, so hopefully that’ll pull them through,” she said.

Ant and Dec used a dog to predict triumph for the Toon as they sent a good luck message to the team.

Musician Sam Fender – wearing his Newcastle United shirt – posted on Instagram: “Already got emotional today. Shed some tears, HWTL [howay the lads]”.

Earlier in the week, Matty Nicholls, from Ashington, Northumberland, got a Greggs sausage roll shaved on to the back of his head.

Speaking to BBC Look North on Wembley Way, he said if Newcastle won he would get a brown ale bottle shaved into the back of his head – and a tattoo of the winning goal scorer.

“Even if it’s a van Dijk own goal, he’s going on,” he laughed.

“Let’s hope this is our time, we’re due one.”

The last trophy for the club was in 1969, the old Fairs Cup, but the 1955 FA Cup was the club’s last domestic success.

Alan Shearer, who captained Newcastle in the 1999 FA Cup final, said he “will be as nervous as any supporter”.

“I know I am biased but if any set of fans deserves a trophy it is the Newcastle supporters because of their passion, their loyalty and how they have stuck by the team over the years,” he wrote for BBC Sport.

The last Newcastle player to score at Wembley 25 years ago, Rob Lee, said it was a title he hoped to lose today.

“We haven’t got a great record at Wembley, he said.

“But if Isak or anybody in the team breaks it then we win the game, I will be absolutely delighted.

“I’ll be partying with the rest of the Geordies.”

On Saturday, the iconic Angel of the North statue in Gateshead was draped in a black and white shirt, with crowds of people turning up to take photos.

One fan, Steph who brought her family to see it, said: “It just represents so much as well about pride in the city and bringing people together.”

The Gateshead Millennium Bridge spanning the River Tyne also displayed a banner.