Dummett eyes semi at Wembley

NEWCASTLE United’s best FA Cup quarter-final in 14 years and no fans will be allowed in St James’ Park to watch it. Typical Newcastle.

That’s the view of defender Paul Dummett, who is excited about the prospect of helping his boyhood club break their 65-year wait for a domestic trophy.

The 28-year-old was just 13 when the Magpies last reached the final four of the FA Cup but has faith that this year’s side can beat holders Manchester City and earn a semi-final place.

However, fans will have to watch all remaining games this season on TV, and Dummett knows just how much a day out at Wembley would have meant to fans.

Speaking to NUFC TV, he said: “I’m a Newcastle fan, was born here, have lived here my whole life,” he said. “The club haven’t had a run like this in a long, long time so hopefully I can be involved in that.

“We all know we’ve got a tough game against one of the best teams in the league, so we have to be ready for that, but it’s an exciting time being involved in a game in the quarter-finals, so hopefully we can progress.

“I’ve said to a few people, it’s typical Newcastle; we’ve not been this far in the competition for a long time, and imagine if we got to the semi-final or the final and we’ve got no fans there!

“The fans are a massive part of sport and especially football, and for Newcastle, in our area everyone lives and breathes football, so it won’t be too great without the fans there, but the safety of everyone is the most important thing and hopefully we can put in performances that the fans can watch on TV, and they can celebrate at home when we score the goals.”