Ant & Dec Celebrate as Newcastle Triumph in Carabao Cup
Victory parades are nothing short of incredible, often surreal experiences for those fortunate enough to partake in them. The Newcastle players, manager Eddie Howe, and the entire city are gearing up for a day they’ll never forget. Reflecting on my own experience, I recall the exhilarating moment when Watford celebrated their promotion in the 2014/15 season. By the time the parade rolled around, the emotions were a mix of joy and disbelief.
Brazilian stars Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton basked in the glory of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, marking a significant milestone for the club. This triumph at Wembley instantly catapulted Eddie Howe into the status of a Toon legend.
Having been part of Watford’s promotion journey, I can say that the festivities often kick off days in advance. For us, the revelry began the week before we secured our promotion. As captain, it was quite evident that we were in celebration mode the moment we earned our spot. After a triumphant win at Brighton in the penultimate game of the season, the atmosphere on the bus back to the training ground was electric. We were all chanting, “One more win, and we’re up!” But upon our return, the results we needed fell perfectly into place, sealing our fate.
Our team chef, who wasn’t on the bus with us, must have sensed the excitement. He appeared out of nowhere, bursting with bottles of champagne—a sight reminiscent of a pirate with his treasure. We celebrated wildly, heading into Watford town center for an unforgettable night filled with laughter and chaos.
Come the following Saturday, we faced Sheffield Wednesday in our last home game. By then, we had been celebrating for nearly four days straight. We drew 1-1, conceding a last-minute equalizer, but it hardly dampened our spirits. The job was done, and another night of celebration awaited us, culminating in a family and friends gathering at The Grove hotel, courtesy of the club.
To be honest, I can’t recall much of that Sunday, but I distinctly remember making it to the meeting point on Monday at The Grove to board the parade bus. Here’s a little secret: after days of partying, the last thing anyone wants is to hop on that bus. The initial thrill gives way to a sudden realization that you’re about to embark on a journey—akin to being on a rollercoaster while inebriated. It felt like Glastonbury, but on a double-decker bus.
As the journey commenced, nerves kicked in—what if I were to get sick? And the lack of restrooms only added to the anxiety. We traveled in vintage red London buses, a nod to the Graham Taylor era when they were promoted in 1999. There were two buses: the players in one at the front and family and friends in the rear.
As the saying goes, what’s the best remedy for a hangover? Keep drinking! However, our strategy didn’t pan out as expected. Some of the lads ended up feeling ill, and a few resorted to using empty bottles as makeshift toilets. It was just as chaotic as it sounds.
When we finally reached the stage to lift the trophy, I was so intoxicated that I hardly remember the moment. Apparently, it was a monumental day, filled with joy and celebration. Following the parade, I embarked on a lads trip to Las Vegas for five unforgettable days, flying first class for the first time—a real treat. After that, I flew straight to Disneyland Florida for two weeks with my family.
In all seriousness, witnessing the incredible reception we received, with around 20,000 fans turning out to celebrate with us, was something special. That was for ‘little’ Watford. Just imagine the scene for Newcastle! The streets will be packed for miles—a massive event indeed.
As I look back, I hope that for players like Dan Burn, who recently won the Carabao Cup and received his first England call-up, Eddie Howe takes a moment to say, “Enjoy this, have a few drinks, and take care of yourself on Monday; we’ll handle the rest.” I recall Jack Grealish facing criticism for his antics during Manchester City’s Treble celebrations, with that iconic image of him carefree, shirt off, arms wide open. It’s moments like these that truly define how parades should be celebrated. They don’t come around often, especially unexpected victories like Watford’s or the current triumph of Newcastle. And if Newcastle secures a spot in the Champions League by season’s end, the Saudis might just throw another grand celebration.