A Quest for Glory: Newcastle Aims to Break Long Trophy Drought

Enduring supporters of Newcastle United make their way daily to pay tribute to the statues that stand proudly outside St James’ Park, a landmark that towers over the heart of the city.

The bronze statue of Jackie Milburn holds a special place in the hearts of those with fond memories of the past, while younger fans are more inclined to recognise the statue of Alan Shearer, celebrating his record goal tally with his iconic arm raised in triumph.

Another notable statue commemorates Bobby Robson’s unforgettable five-year tenure as manager of his beloved club.

However, it’s Milburn, affectionately referred to as ‘Wor Jackie’ in Tyneside, that embodies the deep connection between the club and its supporters, highlighting how long it has been since they last celebrated a major trophy.

Milburn, whose record for goals was overtaken by Shearer in 2006, opened the scoring just a minute into Newcastle’s 3-1 triumph over Manchester City in the 1955 FA Cup final.

This marked the club’s sixth FA Cup victory and their third in five years; however, the Magpies have since faced decades of near misses, with the only new additions to their trophy cabinet being the long-gone Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, second-division titles, and a thick layer of dust.

There have been several moments of hope and valiant attempts.

Former player Kevin Keegan made a triumphant return, guiding the team to successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League during the mid-90s—most notably blowing a 12-point lead in 1995-96 and losing out to Manchester United.

The club faced back-to-back meek defeats in the FA Cup finals in 1998 and 1999, and two years ago, buoyed by a new influx of cash from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, they fell to Manchester United in the League Cup final.

As runaway Premier League leaders and current League Cup champions Liverpool present a tough challenge, there’s a sense that Newcastle, labelled underdogs, are better prepared than before. Alexander Isak from Sweden, a striker with the potential to become a Geordie icon, stands out.

However, the 25-year-old, who has netted 22 goals in 32 matches this season, admits he isn’t fully versed in Newcastle’s storied history.

“I didn’t know too much, but my overall football knowledge isn’t great,” Isak candidly shared with reporters on Friday. “Alan Shearer, Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba—that’s about it for me.

“You quickly learn about the legends and the club’s history. I’m aiming to create my own legacy. I’m pleased with what I’ve accomplished so far.”

Excitement is palpable in Newcastle as cup final fever takes hold, with children allowed to swap their uniforms for black and white stripes. Thousands will board trains to London on Sunday morning, filled with hope.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes has envisioned lifting the trophy ever since he was left in tears two years ago.

“This time, I want tears of joy. Everyone knows I’m quite emotional,” Guimaraes expressed. “I always give my all on the pitch and play as if I’m a fan because I understand what it means to them. Let’s hope everything goes our way on the day.”

Newcastle have struggled to find the net in their last three finals, with the last player to score for the club at Wembley being Rob Lee in an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea nearly 25 years ago.

“I spoke to Rob Lee and touched his feet for a bit of luck,” Guimaraes revealed. “We want to make thousands of Geordies proud. We’ll do our utmost to bring that trophy back to the city.”