It’s been 68 years since Newcastle United tasted glory in a major cup competition.
Since their triumph in the 1955 FA Cup, life in this country and the city has dramatically changed, but one thing has endured – the love so many local people have for the team. A passion that is at fever pitch as the side take on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final today.
The sense of anticipation in the city was not lost on their head coach, Eddie Howe, who spoke to Sky News at a media day held at the club’s training facility earlier in the week.
“From the people that I meet around the city and any interactions I have with supporters, whether that’s 6 o’clock in the morning outside the training ground or when I’m leaving,” he said.
“The passion here and the support for their team is truly incredible.
“So, I think the players know the responsibilities that they have, to be the best.”
The side today will be captained by England international Kieran Trippier, who has played 40 times for England, including in the 2020 European Cup Final at Wembley, where today’s final will be held.
Despite his experience at the highest level, Trippier, 32, says playing in front of Newcastle’s fanatical fanbase still amazes him.
“You don’t even realise till you actually play for Newcastle, how passionate the fans are, how crazy the atmosphere is,” he said, “even I sometimes get butterflies when we’re walking out.”
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That fervour was on full display at The Back Page, a memorabilia shop a short walk away from the club’s St James’s Park Stadium.
There, the shelves are lined with trinkets from the club’s past, from vintage shirts to old match day programmes and scarves.
Even if they’ve been nearly men for nearly seven decades, Newcastle United has a rich history – a fact the television screens in the shop remind you of, as they play highlights on repeat.
This Wednesday, it was packed with fans looking for more memorabilia to add to their collection before the final.
‘Newcastle United is in our blood here’
Anas Hassan, who regularly travels from his home in Fife, Scotland to Tyneside to see the team play, said he was feeling “warm in the heart”, about the club’s recent run of good form.
“Knowing there’s a unity here, people are behind the team and want them to win their first major English Trophy since 1955. I think obviously, the excitement levels are going up,” added Hassan, who said he’d be in Newcastle for the celebrations next week if they can win the cup today.
Meanwhile Stephen Cook, who works at the shop, put it simply: “Newcastle United is in our blood here, it matters so much.”
The context around Newcastle United’s success this season, challenging for a top four finish in the Premier League which would mean qualification for next season’s Champions League, hasn’t come without controversy though.
Last year the club was taken over by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – a process that saw questions raised about alleged human rights abuses linked to the Saudi Arabian regime.
The debate around that will continue, but the shop window displays and lines of fans waiting for a glimpse of the players on the way to the training ground this week are reminders that the ties between the club and the community are longstanding and strong.
‘Everyone wants them to win’
In the city centre, you could sense the excitement among people of all ages.
An elderly woman said: “It’s fabulous what it does for the city, everybody wants them to win, there’s a buzz about the place, which is always good.”
A young mother summed up the love a place renowned for its grit has for the beautiful game: “Now we’ve got a team that’s come back soaring, the magic’s back.
“So, what does Newcastle as a team mean to Newcastle as a place? It’s magic.”
The Royal Liverpool University Hospital has declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high” demand on A&E and patients being admitted to wards.
The hospital said there had been a spike in people with flu and respiratory illnesses going to emergency departments in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for the hospital said it had a “comprehensive plan in place” and was “taking all the necessary actions to manage the challenging circumstances”.
“We are working with partner organisations to ensure those that are medically fit can leave hospital safely and at the earliest opportunity,” they added.
The hospital warned some people would experience delays as it prioritises the sickest patients.
People whose case isn’t an emergency are being asked to see their GP, pharmacy or walk-in centre – or call the 111 service for advice.
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The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is in the city centre and is the biggest hospital in Merseyside and Cheshire.
Declaring a critical incident can happen when a hospital is experiencing exceptional demand, or sometimes if there is a serious problem with staffing levels.
It indicates it can’t function as normal and allows it to take extra measures to protect patients, such as prioritising the most unwell people and getting support from other agencies.
It could last hours, a few days, or weeks if necessary.
A critical incident was also declared on Friday by the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board.
It said it had seen almost four times as many inpatients compared with last year and urged people with flu to avoid going to A&E.
Zendaya and Tom Holland are rumoured to be engaged after the 28-year-old actress appeared at the Golden Globes wearing a massive diamond ring on her left ring finger.
They met after working together on 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and confirmed their relationship in 2021.
Sky News has contacted representatives for Zendaya and Holland for comment.
Zendaya chatted to journalists on the Globes red carpet, where she was nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in the romantic sports drama Challengers.
Despite being pipped to the prize by Demi Moore, who won for her role in body horror The Substance, there was plenty of buzz around Zendaya’s large diamond ring, which was clearly visible throughout the show.
A Los Angeles Times reporter appeared to ask Zendaya about it, holding up her own engagement ring and pointing to it. Zendaya responded by showing her left-hand ring.
The reporter then asked if the actor was engaged and “she kept showing her ring, smiled coyly and shrugged her shoulders mysteriously”.
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Holland, who is also 28, wasn’t at Sunday’s Globes.
Zendaya wore an orange Louis Vuitton ball gown, and diamond jewellery from Bulgari – for which she’s an ambassador – on the Globes red carpet.
But while the Dune star’s other jewellery items were listed in a press release, there was no mention of the ring on her left finger.
Zendaya, who rose to fame after her breakout role in Disney sitcom Shake It Up, became a household star after starring in Euphoria.
Tom Holland, who is the son of British actor/comedian Dominic Holland, won a role in Billy Elliot The Musical as a child, and has gone on to achieve global fame playing Spider-Man in six Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.