Alan Shearer reflects on ‘brilliant’ Newcastle United cup celebrations - Trent Alexander-Arnold take note

Thousands lined the city streets to welcome Eddie Howe’s heroes 16 days after the Wembley final against Liverpool. The Carabao Cup met a sea of black and white as the trophy was paraded around Newcastle.

Festivities continued at the Town Moor when the likes of Shearer and Les Ferdinand spoke on stage before the players lifted the cup. An emotional Shearer reflected on an incredible journey following and representing the Magpies and spared a moment for his dad, also called Alan, who passed away last year.

The Toon icon hailed the “brilliant” day as Newcastle showed its adulation for a team that delivered domestic silverware after seven decades. Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast: “Honestly lads, I was sending some of the videos and the pictures through to you guys. The scenes were just unreal. I don’t think Newcastle has seen anything like that before. 

“I always said I wanted to see Newcastle when we win a trophy and it was everything it hoped it would be and more. The fans were just… from the moment the bus set off from St James’ Park, there were like 80 or 90 people deep. They were on top of bus shelters, on top of hotels… It was just incredible. 

“(There were) thousands and thousands of people. There must have been north of 300,000 who followed the parade and then got onto the Town Moor. The players must have absolutely loved it because they got some reception. 

“To be a part of that, to be on that bus with the trophy… it must’ve been incredible for them. It was just a great day. The atmosphere was brilliant. To stand on that stage and see 150,000 people or whatever it was, a sea of black and white… It was such a pleasure to be there. The reception I got was incredible. One of them (the presenters) mentioned my dad and I got a bit emotional. He always wanted to see Newcastle win a trophy.”

Shearer believes nothing will top those scenes even if the Magpies deliver bigger and better trophies in the coming years. His comments about receiving a homecoming reception are timely given the biggest news story in football right now - Trent Alexander-Arnold’s expected Liverpool exit.

The Liverpool defender has been heavily criticised by fans for what looks to be a free transfer exit from his boyhood heroes, as a move to Real Madrid, according to reports, nears. A direct contrast to what Shearer has experienced at Newcastle.

“If Newcastle are lucky enough to win other trophies, like Chelsea and Manchester City did, I cannot see it (the celebrations) being as good as this one has been,” he added. “Just all the excitement, how long it’s been and everything else, the parade, the match, everything… I can’t see it being as good as this one.

“It was one of the best weekends ever. The whole Geordie Nation came together. That moment when I walked out and saw 150,000 with black-and-white shirts cheering my name… will live with me forever.”

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