Sam Fender - The Road to St James’ Park: Newcastle United fans and Geordie legends feature in emotional doc

From being discovered in an unassuming North Shields pub to selling out the historic stadium of his boyhood team Newcastle United twice over, it’s been quite the rise for Sam Fender.

The 29-year-old’s humble success story is anchored in a pride to be from the North East and when over 100,000 people make the journey through the Newcastle city centre and into the cathedral on the hill in two weeks, Geordie moods will be at a fever pitch.

It’s been 39 years since the last local musicians played the stadium which has stood tall over Tyneside ever since 1892 and Fender will take on that torch from the legendary Lindisfarne.

Ray Laidlaw was part of that Lindisfarne set up who opened up for Bob Dylan that summer afternoon and tells NewcastleWorld and LocalTV all about that historic day and his relationship with his friend Sam Fender in Sam Fender - The Road to St James’ Park, which can also be watched via NationalWorld.

The 20-minute documentary also features interviews with some of the star’s self-confessed superfans who have seen the ‘Seventeen Going Under’ star play all across the UK and chats with locals in the star’s hometown of North Shields.

Cameras also visit St James’ Park before Newcastle United’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur last month to find out exactly what it means to fans to see a fellow Mag representing the club on the world’s biggest stages - including 14-year-old NUFC Fans Food Bank busker Joe who looks up to the star as a major inspiration.

Sam Fender will play two sold-out nights at St James’ Park on June 9 and June 10. In the run-up to the event, stay in the loop with features, opinions, logistics and more on NewcastleWorld.