A lot of popular former Newcastle United players would surely have loved watching them on Monday night.
Eddie Howe’s side secured Champions League qualification with a draw against Leicester in their final home game of what has been a stunning campaign.
The likes of Alan Shearer and Nobby Solano were among the notable faces in attendance at St James’ Park and it appears another former favourite was watching from home.
Indeed, a certain Demba Ba was amongst the first to celebrate.
Demba Ba sends ‘big four’ message to Newcastle after Champions League qualification
The former striker, who played a major role in helping Alan Pardew’s Newcastle finish fifth over ten years ago, clearly enjoyed watching the Toon achieve such a big milestone.
In just three words and a number, Ba summed up the feeling of elation.
There will be no more sad ends to Newcastle careers like with Ba
Having starred for Newcastle, Chelsea quickly moved to snatch him away in January 2013 because of a release clause.
While there was little the club could do given the clause, it’s hard to imagine anything like that happening these days.
Newcastle have entered the European fray from a position of enviable strength. They no longer need to fear supposedly bigger clubs swooping in on their leading talents, with the club now having the backing and the ambition to keep a hold of them.
Stars such as Bruno Guimaraes are openly talking about the long-term project at the club. That cannot have been hurt by qualifying for the Champions League.
What. A. Season.