Double celebration for North East sport looms
TYNESIDE is bracing itself for the mother of all celebrations in the summer of next year.
The glorious month of June will see us acknowledging two landmark occasions – the 50th anniversary of Newcastle United winning their one and only European trophy and the 30th anniversary of Glenn McCrory becoming a world boxing champion.
Just how epic those occasions were – though we didn’t realise it at the time of course – is emphasised by the fact that incredibly United have never won a major trophy since and Tyneside has never had another global title holder. McCrory’s fanfare comes first on June 3, the date he was crowned cruiser king in his own Stanley backyard, then we move on a week to June 11. This is the date that Newcastle confirmed their ownership of the European Fairs Cup in Budapest with a rousing second-leg fightback from two down at half-time to 3-2 victors on the night and 6-2 on aggregate over two legs.
Celebration plans are already under way.
I was present on both glorious occasions. I reported on every single match home and away on United’s glorious run to ultimate triumph and I’m proud to be president of the Fairs Club which still exists today in honour of our fine ambassadors.
McCrory is (and was then) a great personal friend. I was privileged to be allowed into his dressing-room just before he did his ring walk and the eerie atmosphere of silence could be cut with a knife.
Both the Mags and McCrory were magnificent on the night. The great shame is that their heroics have never been repeated though we continue to live in hope. And, boy, will we celebrate come June 2019.