Double glory for adopted Geordie

COME tea time today Chelsea will walk out at Wembley for the FA Cup final praying for better things having ended their Premier League season with a whimper at Newcastle.

Well an adopted Geordie and fervent Newcastle United fan has already shown them how to do it in style come the biggest of days.

Because back on May 5 on the same hallowed turf Paul Green strode out stiff-backed at the head of Chelsea Ladies who went on to defeat big rivals Arsenal 3-1 before a record crowd of 45,423 and lift the women’s version of the FA Cup.

And this midweek Green went one giant step further as he was in charge of the Blues dug-out when they clinched the league and cup double by winning at Bristol City.

Paul, I ought to explain, is the son of Geordie-born Bill Green, a good pal of mine who was brought up in Stanhope Street overlooking St James’ Park and was a devoted fan.

Paul was only born in Carlisle because his dad was playing there before he moved on to the likes of West Ham eventually becoming a Football League manager and renowned scout.

I should point out that Paul is actually Chelsea Ladies’ highlyregarded assistant manager but did the honours at Wembley and Bristol because manager Emma Hayes was in the last days of her pregnancy.

It was an emotional occasion for Green, 41, at Wembley as he was following in the footsteps of his dad Bill who died last year. Bill led Scunthorpe United to the Fourth Division play-off final in 1992.

Paul joined Chelsea in February 2013 after leaving fellow WSL side Doncaster Rovers Belles who he served for seven years during which the club made the transition from FA Women’s Premier League to FA Women’s Super League football.

Congratulations mate. Dad would have been proud.