It's not just the regular Toon Army faithful who were buzzing as Newcastle United's Champions League qualification was confirmked this week.
There were some special passengers clambering aboard Eddie Howe's European party bus on Monday night too .
A group of elderly Newcastle United fans from across the country living with dementia and other long-term health conditions were taken to St James' Park for the Premier League clash against Leicester City.
And while the match finished goalless, the supporters were there to witness their club grabbing the point that clinched a Champions League place for the first time in 20 years.
It was thanks to a link up between sports travel operator sportsbreaks.com and social enterprise charity Sporting Memories.
Magpies legend Bob Moncur, the last Toon captain to lift a major trophy when they won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, was on hand to welcome them to St James' Park for the visit which included a pre-match guided tour of the stadium.
Moncur and former Newcastle hero John Anderson spent time with the Sporting Memories’ members, reminiscing about their playing careers and listening to the supporters' memories of following the club.
Head of Sportsbreaks.com, Amanda Brandariz, said: “We’re delighted to see our partnership with Sporting Memories is already creating experiences for football fans around the UK, helping to rekindle those living with dementia with their love of the game. We are grateful to be able to help these members enjoy sporting experiences, and to help raise awareness of dementia and the challenges it can bring to all aspects of life.”
Sportsbreaks.com will support the Sporting Memories mission to help reduce isolation and improve physical and mental well-being to the members of the charity across the UK.
The partnership aims to invite people to a variety of events at famous sporting arenas, where they can create new sporting memories with Formula 1, Rugby World Cup and horse-racing trips also on the agenda.
Chris Wilkins MBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Sporting Memories: “It was fantastic to start our exciting partnership with Sportsbreaks.com by welcoming some of our club members, stretching from Dunston to Dunfermline, to the iconic St. James’ Park stadium in Newcastle to experience a unique matchday.
"We know how much witnessing live sport can help our members, particularly those living with dementia and long-term health conditions, with their mental wellbeing as well as providing moments to look back on fondly at their clubs and with loved ones.”
For more information on Sportsbreaks.com, and its sports travel experiences, please click here.
To find out more about the work of Sporting Memories, visit the website at www.sportingmemories.uk or follow them on social media via Twitter @SportsMemNet
READ NEXT
FUN88 send farewell message as Newcastle prepare to unveil new eight-figure-a-year shirt sponsor
Newcastle's 'not afraid' secret as Premier League chief is blown away
Newcastle get 'very emotional' as staff leaving and players may follow after Eddie Howe hint
Newcastle stadium glimpse, Yasir Al-Rumayyan's words and transfer targets take look - 5 things
Some Newcastle players may be set for emotional stadium farewell as staff member to say goodbye
