Several teams got their hands on silverware at last in 2025. Here supporters talk about the pain and pleasure of finally winning
16 March 2025: Won Carabao Cup, beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley, their first trophy in 56 years
Dad’s view: As a baby boomer, it seemed to me that Cup success was a God-given right. We’d triumphed in 1951, 52 and 55. Wembley was our second home. But it took nearly two decades to return for the FA Cup – in 1974 – for a loss to Liverpool, compounded by the crowing Emlyn Hughes. We lost the 1976 League Cup final against Man City and more than 20 years later experienced yet more Wembley anguish at the hands of Arsenal (1998) and Manchester United (1999). At least the black and white jester’s hat got a couple of outings … 2023’s Carabao Cup final was the first I attended with my son, Richard. Maybe that was the omen that our Wembley bogey would end? Nope … but at least I could share the misery with him. Fast forward to 2025 and victory over Liverpool. Euphoric? You bet we were! To paraphrase the famous anthem: “Seventy years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming.” David Holmes
Son’s view: Born in the late 70s, I’d seen my share of false dawns. Both Keegan and Sir Bobby’s thrilling sides were good enough to have at least won a cup, but they’d fallen short. By the time of Mike Ashley’s hope-sapping regime, dreams of glory had turned to dust, and been trodden into the floor of a Sports Direct warehouse. I’d given up on the idea of hugging my dad as we celebrated on the final whistle at Wembley, of seeing a Newcastle captain lifting a trophy, of knowing what victory felt like. We were perennial underachievers. The 2021 takeover – and Eddie Howe’s appointment – changed the script. We finally had ambition, plus the talent to match. And in March we had our moment in the Wembley sun. To be there in the stands with my dad, savouring that victory over Liverpool, meant the world to me. I’ll never forget it. Richard Holmes
