Newcastle United legend John Beresford will spearhead an end of season party on Tyneside - and knows that the city will be jumping come the end of May, regardless of how the campaign ends.
The former left-back knows how the good times roll at St James' Park after helping the club climb from the bottom of the old Second Division and into Europe in the 1990s. Beresford actually found himself as the club's top scorer in the Champions League at one stage too.
But knows that with the type of investment being bandied around by the Saudi-backed Magpies, the club could eclipse the Keegan era in the years to come. For now, he is happy to marvel at what has been an amazing turnaround under Eddie Howe.
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Beresford told Chronicle Live: "What we are talking about is a season of two halves. From my point of view I do the corporate side of things at St James' Park and it was tough.
"All of a sudden the takeover came along. I knew there would be a response from it but being totally I honest I never thought it would be that big.
"The signings have been fantastic. The response to how we've improved the team, how the manager has the team playing and how the fans have reacted to it has just been phenomenal."
No sooner will the game away to Burnley have finished at Turf Moor, United fans back on Tyneside will be savouring the season in the company of Beresford and his former team-mate Steve Howey.
Beresford said: "I got asked to do the Toon Toon Black and White Party on May 22 I was up for it. It's always nice to have the final game of the season at home but if you aren't there is no better way to celebrate than with a bit of a party.
"That's how it will feel - the mood is optimistic and good. The feeling around the city is going to be as high as it's ever been. Maybe even higher than the Kevin Keegan days? You can just see that light at the end of the tunnel. The fans can't wait to see the start of the new season. And then there's the summer, to see what signings do come in."
This weekend will be about the clash with Liverpool and after a week at watching both the Reds and City look like modern-day versions of the Entertainers side he played for, the popular former left-back said: "I have watched two games over the last couple of nights, Man City 4-3 Real Madrid, Liverpool 2-0 Villarreal 0 and yes Newcastle are still miles off that quality right now. But that is where we can go...
"If you'd told me that 12 months ago I'd have laughed at you. Under Mike Ashley they we would never have got there. They never showed the ambition or ability to make such a step.
"Man City play so openly they will get punished. "But the football that has been played this week is phenomenal, the two teams City and Liverpool are the standard bearers. That's where every football club has to chase."
Liverpool will arrive at their hotel knowing they must prevent it from being seven wins in a row in the Premier League at St James' Park. Even a draw could knock Jurgen Klopp's side off course.
Beresford said: "What a game it's set up to be this Saturday? "These are the two teams with the most points since Christmas. What I am curious about is whether we will sit back against Liverpool or look to take them on. Taking them on could be deemed an accident waiting to happen.
"It's not my job to tell Eddie what to do. But the place is going to be rocking and you just hope Liverpool have a little bit of an off-day and we are on our game.
"If that happens you just never know. But let's go toe to toe and make it 4-3-3 vs 4-3-3. The only advice I'd give is somebody has to man to man mark Thiago. "Let's not him dictate the game! If you let him play he will destroy you."
The organiser's of the end of season party hope fans will pack out Central Park, and say: "As well as real time final day results, featuring a giant screen, live football banter from the legends, VIP booths and food and drink stalls, “Toon Toon Black & White Party” will feature an amazing line-up of entertainment, which will see the award-winning 90s themed indie band The National Anthems take to the stage, alongside an exclusive DJ from funk and soul legends Smoove & Turrell, celebrity appearances, laser-guided post match analysis from Toon icons John Beresford and Steve Howey, and a whole range of football based fun, including a “Beat the Keeper” competition, which will raise funds for local boys clubs and charities."
*Tickets for Toon Toon End of Season Black and White Party are on sale via this link
