‘It’s unbelievable’ - Newcastle United hat-trick against Sunderland relived 15 years on
Kevin Nolan claimed he “has not seen anything like” the famous Newcastle United support while reliving his Tyne-Wear derby heroics.
Almost 15 years ago, the former Toon skipper achieved cult-hero status with a thrilling hat-trick against Sunderland. A seven-game unbeaten run for the Black Cats - managed by Steve Bruce - made them favourites as Newcastle settled into Premier League life.
A turbulent few years under Mike Ashley saw the Magpies relegated but they bounced back at the first time of asking. Nolan was a key part of Chris Hughton’s team, scoring 17 goals and wearing the armband for most of the campaign.
He was installed as permanent captain following promotion and became a Tyneside hero months later with a stunning trio in the 5-1 win over Sunderland. Further memories include inspiring a four-goal fightback against Arsenal in February 2011.
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Several years have passed since Nolan’s “funky chicken” celebration but he is still revered by Toon supporters. Speaking to the EFL, the 42-year-old - now managing at Northampton Town - opened up about how much football means in Newcastle.
“That’s (the hat-trick vs Sunderland) all they (the Newcastle fans) ever talk about,” Nolan said. “That and the chicken dance! Any Geordie, I even see young lads now where their dads go ‘This is Kevin Nolan’. They look at you like ‘Oh, that’s him? Who scored the hat-trick?’
“It’s unbelievable the love that they show you there. It’s everyone. I’ve never known anything like it. In Liverpool, you’ve got Liverpool and Everton, you love one or the other. When you go to Newcastle, there’s nothing else.
“It’s just the football club. This big massive stadium in the middle of the city where everyone loves going. It’s like their church. If you get the chance to play there you have to give it everything. I just loved everything about it.
“I loved walking in the post office on derby day week and the old lady behind the counter, who was over 70, going ‘Make sure you beat them (Sunderland) on Saturday’. It’s a demand. It’s incredible. To have those two years, the way we bounced back with a lot of stuff off the field, I really believed we were building something.”
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