Newcastle's old guard share their Wembley wisdom
The match that turned Sir Bobby into a giant, the bus parade that could have been oh so different and how one order from Ruud Gullit tanked their chances in 1999… Newcastle’s old guard share their wisdom with Eddie Howe’s side as they end Wembley hiatus
- Newcastle are making their first cup final appearance at Wembley since 1999
- They made Wembley ventures three season in a row between 1998 and 2000
- Warren Barton, Temuri Ketsbaia and John Carver were all involved in the games
It has been 23 years since Newcastle last took to the pitch at Wembley for a major cup match.
Their FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea in 2000 was their third successive appearance at the national stadium in three years following their FA Cup final outings in 1998 and 1999. All three ended in defeat.
Here, in their own words the players and coaches recall those days, and give their advice to Eddie Howe’s side ahead of the club’s return to the home of football.
WARREN BARTON
Played for Newcastle between 1995 and 2002. Started the 1998 FA Cup final and the 2000 semi-final
As a kid growing up, it wasn’t about cars, money, houses, or whatever it was all about trying to get to a cup final.
When I was able to play in the final in the ’98 one against Arsenal, it was quite ironic. It’s my boyhood team that I supported and I had a lot of friends that were involved with Arsenal as well.
I remember Alan Sunderland, scoring the goal against Man United in 1979 in that five-minute minute cup final, as they call it, and seeing his face on TV, and the joy of the fans. That’s what sticks in my mind now, even when I’m in my early fifties.
Warren Barton started for Newcastle United in their FA Cup final against Arsenal in 1998
In 1998, there was a lot of pride, a lot of excitement, a lot of nerves. It was just a great occasion. The semi-final against Sheffield United was more relief because we were expected to win, and we’d known it’d been a long, long time. But just our bloody luck we come up against a team like Arsenal that were going for the double.
I always learned from someone like Ian Rush and Stuart Pearce when we were sitting on buses and going to games. They would say the same thing; as you get that little bit older, enjoy the occasion, take it in. Don’t, be in the zone, focused. Look around and see what you’ve achieved, and that’s what I did.
We’d come out of the Newcastle end and so as soon as they see Alan [Shearer] coming out, there was a big roar going along. It just sets the hairs on the back of your neck.
There was a lot of emotions. You come behind the goal, you can hear the roar. You see all the colours, you’re trying to recognise your family in the stadium and then the game kicks off, and you know it’s just a very, very poignant moment in your career, because you’ve sort of achieved something that you set out to.
The ultimate was to win it, you know, is that there’s no doubt about that. But, as I said, as a young boy growing up in London for me to play for my country and play an FA Cup final was huge.
The actual game was a big disappointment for me personally. I don’t think we played well, and I don’t think I personally played well. And then it’s gone, the moment’s gone.
The 2000 appearance had a tinge of sadness, because I know how much Sir Bobby would have loved going to Wembley in the final.
He knew what it would mean if a manager was to win silverware. He understood the club, he understood the people, he understood the heart and soul of Newcastle. We should never forget him, because he was such a big part of it.
We came up against a good Chelsea team. We were playing well, unlike the other two finals that we played our form wasn’t good going into the Arsenal game and our form wasn’t great going into the Man United game, although we felt with Roy Keane going off, we had a chance.
The Newcastle bench look on deflated as Arsene Wenger and his men celebrate their victory
But the semi-final against Chelsea, we started the game well. Gus Poyet had had a bit of a hoodoo like Le Tissier had over Newcastle. Gus had got a goal but we were playing well. We were going forward, and obviously Rob got his goal.
I remember the ball going out on that right hand side. Alan, will tell you – he’s not too shy about this – he’s the best crosser of the ball in the Premier League. As soon as it went out wide, I think he’s with Frank Lebeouf, and he was giving him a tough time, I didn’t go and support him. Normally I do an overlap but he didn’t want that. So I left it.
When the ball was played in, my first reaction was to look behind the goal and just watch the fans, because something inside you just tells you it was going to be a goal.
To see the fans faces, the excitement, and then watching everybody run the whole length of the field to go and celebrate with Rob and Alan, I think it was quite a poignant moment, because we’d gone through a lot.
There were five or six of us – Shay Given, Gary Speed, Steve Harper. We’d been through a lot together and Rob was a good friend of ours. That moment of scoring a goal and him getting it was great. It was quite a poetic moment for everybody, and then watching Bobby, you know, do a little dance, but then recover.
I also felt like we had the momentum then. We were going to go on and win it, and, as I said, we got punched right on the nose by them, and we couldn’t really recover.
If I had advice for this team? Keep to the plan that Eddie’s got. Play that high energy, press.
We had a tactical side against Arsenal – me and [Alessandro] Pistone were to try and stop Marc Overmars. I wasn’t allowing him to get the ball to feet, Pistone he was supposed to look after the ball over the top. Seven minutes later we’re a goal down so that tactic has gone out the window.
Never forget what you’ve achieved, and never forget what you’re playing for. I think a lot of these players do realise that. Bruno [Guimaraes] definitely does, Trippier definitely does. There’s a lot of them – Burn.
Gus Poyet, who scored twice in the 2000 semi-final, was a constant thorn in Newcastle’s side
It’s starting to have an infection in the team. They understand the moment. Don’t come out of that moment. We know what they’re good at, but we also know what we’re good at.
I think I got caught up a lot in the occasion. I never really got to grips with the game, and before you know it the games is out of your hands.
I think for them is to enjoy the moment. Embrace the moment but keep focused on what you’re doing.
TEMURI KETSBAIA
Played for Newcastle from 1997 and 2000. Started at Wembley against Manchester United in 1999
I have great memories from Newcastle. I was there for three years, and we were lucky to play in two finals.
To be honest, the 99’ final was a great day. It was the second time in a row we were playing in the FA Cup final, playing against a great team in Manchester United.
In terms of preparation, of course you’re waiting for this game for a long time, and we were excited to be playing at Wembley, the old Wembley.
It was a great opportunity for everyone to be involved in this kind of game, a great thing for our supporters.
Temuri Ketsbaia struck the post during Newcastle’s defeat by Manchester United in 1999
We fully deserved to be in the final. We felt we were doing the job for the fans, too.
Stepping out on that pitch was a great, great moment. I started the game. I had an opportunity and I hit the post. We didn’t have many.
I got the ball just outside the 18-yard box and tried to move it onto my right. I got the shot away but unfortunately it didn’t go in.
We just faced a better team. Manchester were the best team, not only in England, but also in in Europe. They won all three trophies.
But for me I’ll never forget what happened after the game. We may have lost, but the thousands of people in the streets and all over the city centre when we got home, it was really an unbelievable moment. I’ll never forget that.
I won many trophies – as a player and as a coach – but I always say I just wanted to win one of the two cup finals I played with Newcastle. I just can’t begin to imagine what it would’ve been like when we got back home had we won.
We lose the game, and people are waiting for us and cheering for us. Just imagine what would have happened if we had won it!
This is what I regret to be honest. I wish I had won just one cup with Newcastle. It would’ve been an unbelievable achievement to give the cup to the fans.
Newcastle held an open-top bus parade in 1999 despite losing the FA Cup final to Man United
The last time we played, we played against Manchester United, this time it’s also against Manchester United. It’s going to be great game.
Newcastle are doing fantastically well. Things have changed in the team – the managerial staff are doing a great job. Nobody was expecting them to turn things around so soon.
I see the team are challenging every game they play. They always play good football, attacking football. Football that the fans want to watch.
I’m really wishing for Newcastle to finally win a trophy after so many years. The club deserves it. The fans deserve it. I’ll be with Newcastle on Sunday.
JOHN CARVER
First team coach from 1998-99 before acting as assistant between 1999-2004, Later returned to the club and was interim manager in 2015
In my three visits to Wembley I’ve always been involved.
The ’98 final, I was youth team coach, and I was detached a little bit from it. I was with the fans watching the game. I felt a disappointment because of the performance. I remember going back to ’74, and ’76 as a youngster, nine and 11-year-old, watching games and we never turned up for either cup final those days as well.
We played Arsenal. Although I was full-time with the football club I didn’t actually travel with the team, so I went with the families and some of the youth team players. We were in with the fans with the shirt and tie on. Afterwards sitting in the hotel in London, it was very sombre. It was so disappointing.
John Carver was one of Ruud Guillit’s first team coaches ahead of the 1999 final
The following year, when Ruud came in, we got to the final against Man United. I remember the semi-final at Old Trafford as if it were yesterday. The biggest thing that stuck in my mind was looking across the main stand and it was moving.
My family and my wife were in the stand – she later said she had been pretty scared. The security guys had said they’d never experienced anything like it. The celebration and the noise and the euphoria from the fans on the far side was incredible.
We won the game 2-0 and it was an amazing occasion. I just had an operation on my knee but I was jumping around celebrating with Ruud and Steve Clarke.
Then we went from that ecstatic, great feeling to walking in the dressing room. There was a big box of champagne on the table and Ruud said, ‘Put that away. We haven’t won anything yet.’
The disappointment. We went from this high… let us enjoy the occasion.
That box of champagne was taken away. I think the kitman and the bus driver got it in the end. At least they put it to good use.
After that we never won another League game to the final. Lacking in confidence and not winning a football match? It was always going to be very, very difficult.
Carver is hugged by Guillit as he celebrates with the Dutchman and Steve Clarke in the semis
The preparation was quite incredible as well. We went from the training centre up to the police headquarters in the Northumberland because Ruud was convinced that Man United would be spying on us.
Then I remember him coming in, saying we’re going try these suits up. Armani suits. Let me tell you, the only one that look good in an Armani suit was Ruud. He looked a million dollars.
I do remember coming out of the tunnel, though. It used to be behind the goal and you can feel the draft and the noise coming down. Even now the hairs on the back of my neck have just popped up.
As we got to the end of the tunnel I remember looking either side, and our fans were right behind us. The noise was deafening. I’ve never experienced anything like in my life.
That walk around the side of the pitch, it was one of the best feelings ever. It must’ve taken a minute, but it felt like a lifetime. You didn’t even know Man United had any fans there. It was incredible.
I sat down and there was a guy who I was good friends with his brother. He had the first seat right next to me in the dugout. Amazing. We had a conversation before kick off. As the game developed, I was getting all the emotion from him. He was living every pass, every shot, every tackle. The disappointment in his face when the full-time whistle went…
We planned to take care of Roy Keane, who got injured after ten minutes. Our plans went right out the window. Teddy Sheringham, came on and caused havoc. Him and Paul Scholes tore us apart and we were never really at the races.
Gullit stands on the touchline, in his Armani suit, in front of the Newcastle fans at Wembley
Wembley’s not a place to be second best. When you’ve lost it’s an awful feeling. You’re standing on the pitch, you’re watching the winners go up to get their medals there’s just an emptiness around the place.
The 2000 semi-final, at least it was a day where we turned up.
I remember being in the dressing room before the game. I knew Sir Bobby so well. Every team-talk he gave was given with enthusiasm, with passion, with knowledge and sometimes with a bit of humour – every now and again he got things mixed up, and I think he did it on purpose.
He was so proud being a Geordie. He had the blue shirt with the yellow tie. We came out of the dressing room. He was always an imposing guy when you stood next to him but on this day he was even bigger. He was like land of the giants. He was huge.
He was so proud of it. For him, as a school boy to support the team and lead them out at Wembley. You could see the emotion in his face.
This time it’s a different experience for me, and it’s one I’m quite excited about. My sister’s organising flags for my other sister’s house. I’m going to get a couple of flags for my house as well. I’m joining in.
Sir Bobby Robson, in his blue shirt and yellow tie, takes in the aftermath of their 2000 defeat
We’re going to play Man United and normally in the past that would scare you. This is the first time for a long, long time that were going to Wembley and thinking we have a realistic chance of coming back with the trophy.
Eddie’s been trying to keep it as normal as he can. They’re not wearing suits. They’re going in track suits. I think that’s very important. He’s great with the media because he plays everything down. He takes the pressure off the players.
I think he’s got a similar sort of group of players to what we had. Bobby, used to always talk about his blue chip boys. I think Eddie’s got the same – the Trippiers, the Dan Burns, the Schars, the Longstaffs.
I just hope they have a different result to us.
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