‘Means everything to us’ - Newcastle United’s classy gesture to non-league club revealed

Over 900 supporters made their way to the Daren Persson Stadium as the young Magpies saw off the Northern League Division One title challengers to secure a place in the final for the first time since 2018.

It was the hosts that edged themselves in front during the first-half when forwards Dan Wilson and Brad Hird combined for the latter to head past United keeper Jake Turner.

Jay Turner-Cooke continued his impressive introduction to life in the under-23s when he grabbed an equaliser with a well-taken free-kick just after half-time.

With no further goals scored, the former Sunderland academy player came to the fore once again as he scored the decisive penalty to give Elliott Dickman’s side a 4-2 win in the shoot-out.

North Shields will now return to their efforts to secure promotion into the Northern Premier League and also have an FA Vase quarter-final trip to Littlehampton Town on the horizon.

They now head into a crucial part of the season boosted by an unexpected financial influx from Newcastle, who also donated the proceeds from their quarter-final against Ashington to the Robins’ Northern League rivals.

‘It’s a bit of class from Newcastle United’

North Shields manager Marc Nash hailed the Magpies for their gesture and wished them well for the rest of the season.

He told Newcastle World: “It’s brilliant of them and we had nearly 1,000 supporters in.

“To hand us all of the gate money, it’s fantastic to a club like us and it may mean nothing to them financially, but it means everything to us.

“It’s interesting whoever draws Newcastle, because you think you’ll make a bit of money and it’s just fantastic the way things have worked out.

“It’s a bit of class from the club and they were just excellent on the night with the way the players, coaches and staff conducted themselves throughout.”

The winners of Tuesday night’s semi-final between Blyth Spartans and Bedlington Terriers will face Newcastle in the final, which will be played at St James Park later in the season.