Newcastle United fans at Wembley hoping for Carabao Cup final win

by Curtis Jones
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Evie Lake

BBC News, North East and Cumbria

HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images A crowd of Newcastle United fans singing with their hands in the air in Covent Garden. Someone is holding a flare.HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images

Newcastle United fans took over Covent Garden on Saturday

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.

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grey placeholderHENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images A group of fans with a Newcastle United flag in Covent Garden looking happy and excited.HENRY NICHOLLS/Getty Images

Covent Garden was turned into a sea of black and white shirts as fans gathered in the capital on Saturday

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.

Two magpies and a sausage roll

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.

grey placeholderOwen Humphreys/PA Media A family with children wearing Newcastle United tops outside Wembley.Owen Humphreys/PA Media

Fans on Wembley Way have made it a day for the family

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]”.

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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.”

grey placeholderMich Lange The back of a head with a sausage roll in a Greggs packet shaved into the middle.Mich Lange

Matty Nicholls says he will get a Newcastle Brown Ale bottle shaved into his head if Newcastle lift the cup

grey placeholderMichelle Mercer/Getty Images A woman with black and white sunglasses and a black and white top stands between two men with Newcastle United shirts.Michelle Mercer/Getty Images

Some fans have waited more than 50 years for trophy success

grey placeholderMichelle Mercer/Getty Images A bulldog wearing a Newcastle United shirtMichelle Mercer/Getty Images

All types of fans got in on the action in London

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.”

grey placeholderA queue of people standing outside St James' Stack which is made up of black shipping containers.

Supporters lined up outside Stack next to St James’ Park on Sunday morning

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.

grey placeholderThe Angel of the North with a black and white Newcastle United shirt hanging from its body. People can be seen at the bottom of the hill.

A famous landmark displayed support for the home team

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