Newcastle United celebrated their historic Carabao Cup win in front of hundreds of thousands of fans on Saturday.
It was an event the city had never seen for decades, the Magpies were back in town after a final, but this time with a trophy to flaunt.
Newcastle United players and staff took to the streets of the city centre on an open-top bus to parade the Carabao Cup trophy to the fans – some of whom had waited hours to see that moment.
The initial belief was that 250,000 Newcastle fans were attending. However, that number is believed to be more than 300,000 and could even be greater than that. It was a joyous day, one that was a privilege to be a part of.
Alan Shearer was stunned at Newcastle’s turnout for the event, admitting on the day that the win and subsequent parade was one of the best moments of his life. While it was a special occasion for the players, Eddie Howe banned Newcastle’s squad from drinking, with the gaffer having one eye on Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Brentford.
The parade will live long in every fan’s memory, but for some outside the fanbase, it was all too much, especially with Shearer and others attending.
- READ MORE – Ant and Dec throw dig at Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister during Newcastle United celebrations
Richard Keys slams Alan Shearer after Newcastle United trophy celebrations
The Town Moor leg of the event was full of celebrity appearances, including the players lifting the trophy, taking a photo with the crowd, and having a Q&A with Howe and the players.
Ant and Dec were mobbed by Newcastle fans when they arrived at St James’ Park earlier in the day. They were then seen on the bus with the players conducting interviews before taking to the stage on the Town Moor.
Shearer said nothing would top Newcastle’s trophy event, but according to football pundit Richard Keys, he should not have even been there in the first place.
Writing on his personal blog, Keys said: “Speaking of Newcastle – what a turnout they had to celebrate their Carabao Cup win. Top class. I saw Alan Shearer front and centre again, despite the fact he had nothing to do with the success.
“I had to wonder if he still thinks ‘medals don’t buy shoppin’? That was always his excuse for turning his back on United and a trophy haul that would’ve inevitably followed had he gone to OT. There’s no feeling to replace that of winning – even second hand it seems.
“I’ve also seen enough of those professional Geordies Ant and Dec to last a lifetime. Tell me – where do they live on Tyneside?”
- READ MORE – Chris Sutton says what will happen to Newcastle United against Brentford fresh off Town Moor celebrations
Richard Keys does not understand Alan Shearer’s attendance
For Keys, Shearer’s appearance looks like a PR stunt to help him get more notoriety among the fanbase. But that is far from the case.
Shearer said he would not be on Newcastle’s bus parade because he was not the person who won the trophy. Even his attendance at the Town Moor event was in doubt it looked as if it was not until the last minute that he was one of the line-up.
Alongside that, the likes of Les Ferdinand and Bob Moncur were also in attendance at the Town Moor event, taking ‘front and centre’ with Newcastle’s record scorer.
Football fans outside of Newcastle will simply never understand what the Carabao Cup win means to the fanbase – that emotional feeling of when the final whistle went will just never be topped.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
