Some members of Newcastle United's squad were not even born when the Magpies came within touching distance of winning the Premier League title in 1996. However, the group were all captivated when Eddie Howe delivered a history lesson with a difference last month as footage of the Entertainers running riot played on the screen at the top of the room.
As much as Howe was celebrating the past, the Newcastle boss also challenged his players to create their own history. Rather than being daunted by that era, as some of his predecessors have, Howe wants his players to dream, to believe they can one day follow in the footsteps of these greats.
Newcastle have a lot of work to do to do that, of course, but the players left the room inspired that day. In the words of Callum Wilson, the 'eye-opening' talk was like a 'life lesson'.
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The squad certainly learned a lot about Kevin Keegan, who was one of the first people Howe reached out to before taking the Newcastle job last November. Some modern coaches may have been too proud to pick up the phone, but Howe recognised Keegan's place in Newcastle's history as both a player and manager and got a greater understanding of the club following that first conversation.
Keegan is understood to have stressed the importance of always being up front with Geordies to Howe and the Newcastle boss clearly took so much from that chat. Perhaps, it is not a surprise that Howe plans to invite Keegan to address his players at the training ground.
Even if Keegan decides not to take up that offer, the 71-year-old will appreciate the invite. Keegan, after all, felt he was 'persona non grata' during the Ashley era after winning his case for constructive dismissal in 2009.
Keegan only returned to St James' on one occasion for a private function for a fan who was leaving for America and, even then, the Newcastle legend felt he had to wear a disguise because he was not sure how he would be received if he was recognised. Alan Shearer, another club legend and former manager in the Ashley era, felt similarly ostracised to the point where the bar named in his honour was renamed while his statue stood outside of club land.
Just as Howe spoke to Keegan last year, the Newcastle boss also had what he called a 'really important conversation' with Shearer, whose 'knowledge of the club is second to none'. Shearer was ultimately left 'very moved' in an interview with Howe for the Athletic this week after the head coach invited him to the training ground to speak to the squad.
Shearer just could not have even contemplated doing that under the previous regime because he felt so unwelcome, but Newcastle's all-time top scorer now feels part of a united club. That once felt an unimaginable prospect. Not anymore.
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