Newcastle United fan hoping for cup final win to make it a special birthday to remember
by Owen Younger · ChronicleLiveA Newcastle United fan is celebrating her birthday by travelling down to London for the Carabao Cup final.
Siobhan Coogan, who has been following the Toon for more than half a century, has spent her 67th birthday on board a Newcastle United supporters' coach full of fans heading to the capital.
Siobhan is originally from Yorkshire, but black and white got under her skin after moving to the North East in 1974.
The adopted Geordie, from North Shields, said: "I moved up from Yorkshire in 1974, and went to watch Newcastle against Liverpool in the FA Cup final.
"I have been a fan since that day, for 51 years, and when I saw that it would be Liverpool again in the final it felt like the perfect story."
Now, Siobhan is looking ahead to this year's final, and she is optimistic about Newcastle's chances. Having followed her side through thick and thin, she's hoping that this will be a birthday weekend to remember.
She continued: "I feel like it's going to be this year, we have been waiting so long to win a trophy and it's about time it happens. Football brought me into a new community when I moved up here, and I'm looking forward to celebrating, not just my birthday, but a cup final win."
When pressed for a score prediction, Siobhan coyly added: "I think we'll win 2-1, as Liverpool haven't looked great in their last couple of games. I think they will be too confident and underestimate us, so we will be able to get the better of them on the day."
She added: "Whatever happens, it's going to be a fantastic occasion, as I know we're all getting scarves on our seats and will be able to make it an amazing atmosphere. There isn’t much else I’d rather be doing on the weekend of my birthday, and this really feels like a full circle moment for me and my love for Newcastle United."
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