Having your best time – Even when a 25 stone stranger lands on you from the row behind | OneFootball

The Newcastle United gift that keeps on giving.

I always enjoy a Newcastle victory, some for a few hours, some for a few days, and occasionally, one for a long time. Our cup win at Wembley is one that is still making me buzz four days after the final whistle sounded.

I think I’ll be in a stupefied state of contentment for a long time to come.

As soon as my phone managed to get reception after the game, I had to field 30 messages – some from people I haven’t spoken to in years. Friends in London, Malta, the US and Germany were genuinely overjoyed for me, having seen me spend a large part of my life, and a good proportion of my disposable income, following Newcastle United.

The congratulatory messages kept coming over the following days. I ought to add that most of the people sending heartfelt good wishes to Newcastle are not Toon fans. Off the top of my head; Arsenal, Chelsea, manure, Man City, Gillingham, Colchester, Leeds and Airdrieonians supporters, have been in touch to say how pleased they are for me.

Señora Hat-Trick is from Colombia – she watched the game on the TV with a friend, and she tells me they were both in tears at the final whistle, and then again when Bruno was interviewed. Her family back in Tuluà were also glued to the box (around 20 of them), and were going mad when the goals went in, and on 90 minutes. They said that even from that distance, they thought the atmosphere we generated was outstanding.

Of course, upon my return to the millionaires’ playground of Gateshead, I watched the whole thing again, and have been through the highlights reel on more occasions than would be considered healthy in normal society. I was pleased to see that the pundits – for once – gave Newcastle United due respect, rather than focusing on where Liverpool fell short. Since then, it has been much the same, with the experts (yes, I know) crediting our players, our coaches and our fans, rather than making excuses for Liverpool.

And it’s only fair to point out that the overwhelming majority of Liverpool fans accepted defeat with good grace. I’ve had a look at a few of their vlogs and fan sites, and while they do mention Liverpool’s shortcomings (we’d be the same), they are happy to give a lot of credit to Eddie Howe and his players. I also thought Slot and VVD (Gakpo too) acted in a classy manner after the game, and Slot more-or-less admitted he was outwitted.

Finally, a word about our fans.

My daughter lives in London (Maida Vale, seven stops from Wembley Central). She said she saw black and whites everywhere she went over the weekend – I get the impression Liverpool fans went down Sunday morning and returned Sunday night – and they were unfailingly good-natured and good-humoured.