Newcastle "Geordie boys" have made it clear to teammates what Wembley win means

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Newcastle will be a hot bed of activity on Sunday (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Newcastle will be a hot bed of activity on Sunday (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Kieran Trippier wants the Toon Army to party like it’s 1999.

The Newcastle defender is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring a trophy back to Tyneside for the first time in 54 years - even if that means upsetting his Manchester United-mad family. Bury-born Trippier was an eight-year-old schoolboy when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side clinched the Treble and sparked manic Mancunian celebrations that brought the city to a standstill.

And he reckons the Geordie nation will party even harder if Newcastle land the Carabao Cup at Wembley. “The celebrations would be even bigger than back then,” said Trippier, 32, who will captain Eddie Howe’s team if club skipper Jamaal Lascelles is on the bench.

“Ask the Geordie boys here, like Burny (Dan Burn) and Longy (Sean Longstaff). They say the city will be in lockdown if we win a trophy. It’s good to have players like them because they can relate to us exactly what it means to the fans.

“You can’t think too far ahead - but we will give a good account of ourselves to try and win it. To win a cup would be… Put it this way, even when I take my kids to school, the headmaster is coming out and saying ‘thank you.’ The city is just so passionate. As players, all we do is try to put a smile on everyone’s face.”

Newcastle United's Wembley appearance to be marked by a souvenir special eiqrxietiqxhinvNewcastle United's Wembley appearance to be marked by a souvenir special

Trippier has played in European Championship and Champions League finals, won La Liga and been to the World Cup semi-finals. But mum Eleanor and dad Chris will be there with brothers Kelvin, Curtis and Chris to see him feature in the first domestic cup final of a career that started with Manchester City and took him to Burnley, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid before he arrived at St James’ Park.

Newcastle "Geordie boys" have made it clear to teammates what Wembley win meansNEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United (2) arrives for the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on February 18, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Kieran Trippier warns city will be on "lockdown" if Newcastle win Carabao Cup) (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Trippier said: “My brothers still go to Old Trafford and if we weren’t playing United, they would be supporting them. Everyone in the family are Reds - but they will be supporting me. Well, hopefully they will!

“They’re all proud to see me reach a cup final in England. It’s been crazy. There’s been a real feel-good factor around Newcastle. So many parents of my kids’ friends have come up to me to say how excited they are and that they might just go down to London for the occasion.”

Trippier could become the first Newcastle captain to lift a trophy since Bob Moncur hoisted aloft the Fairs Cup in 1969. No Toon skipper has walked down from the Royal Box at Wembley with some silverware since Jimmy Scouler collected the 1955 FA Cup.

“I’m not club captain,” said Trippier. “If Jam (Lascelles) isn’t playing then I will have the responsibility. I haven’t even thought about who will lift the trophy. I have to blot that out. The fans can dream but, for me, it’s all about how we can win the game.”

Simon Mullock

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