The Mag
·23 March 2025
‘It must be the ball’ and other abiding memories from this Newcastle United trophy run

The Mag
·23 March 2025
Whilst out for a walk with Tessa my dog, I had a few thoughts about what will stick with me from this League Cup journey this season to the first Newcastle United trophy in a long time.
Willock opening the scoring at Forest and seeing Sandro celebrate at the end. Not to mention the bloke who scored the winning penalty, Sean Longstaff. Nicely slotted bottom right. Get in.
Next up Wimbledon and a game I actually managed to attend, albeit in with the Wimbledon fans. Funnily enough, I don’t have much to take from that game.
Chelsea were swept aside and Brentford too.
And it’s on to Lee Dixon, Alan Smith, Martin Keown, Lego head, an odd shaped ball and Arsenal.
Great game at the Emirates but I’ll never forget Miggy coming on and shouting “Five, Five, Two banks of Five.”
Does Miggy get a medal? I hope so. Get in there! Beat that Captain Black. Hahaha.
The semi-final home game. Gordon’s goal to put it beyond doubt and the “It must be the ball” song. That result was for Ginola.
Too many memories to list from the final, but my neighbour of a street away told me he’s heard me shouting and screaming before at the games on TV, but this was the first time he’d heard me from actually inside his house!