In the hours before Newcastle United welcome Leicester City to St James' Park for their final home game of the season - there were dozens of Toon supporters already at the ground. From The Woolsey Family from Bromsgrove to Max and his dad from the Netherlands, fans were already starting to gather in anticipation of a game that should see Newcastle secure Champions League football.
Many of the fans were taking pictures in front of the Alan Shearer and Bobby Robson statutes, the eagled-eyed of them spotting Toon legend Nolberto Solano on media duty with TalkSPORT and asking for a cheeky selfie, while others were making the most of the discounted kits on sale at the club shop.
All of them are happy and willing to talk about Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, and a club on the verge of the Champions League. It's a far cry from trying to get people to talk United under the last few weeks of Mike Ashley's ownership - as fans, disheartened at their club barely existing, wanted nothing less than to forget about the 90 minutes of football they had just watched.
FINAL FEW TICKETS REMAINING - GET YOURS HERE
But the current-day owners - flanked by Eddie Howe in the dugout and the players on the pitch who have given their all this season - have reignited the love for this football club in those who had asked the question many a time of just what is the point in supporting Newcastle United.
Now there is excitement, joy, elation - and some disbelief too. Newcastle United qualifying for the Champions League? It still sounds strange to say it, but when they confirm it (hopefully tonight) they will have done it deservedly.
Yet for many, while potential trips to Italy or France are exciting, for most the first thought is gratitude to Amanda Staveley, Jamie Reuben, and The Public Investment Fund, for turning United into a competitive club.
It's not about the top 4 or breaking transfer records, it's about understanding what this club means to a community - not just here on Tyneside but across the world.
'Thank you for believing in Newcastle, because the fans will pay you back big time," says Tracey from Bromsgrove, and it's difficult to sum it up any better.
To those outside of the Newcastle bubble, it might sound strange to be thanking owners for backing the club in the transfer market or as Joanne from Northern Ireland did, for cleaning the stadium windows - but it's a sign of how far the club under the previous regime had fallen.
It's also a sign that no matter how far this club goes, the fan base will keep grounded. They will remember the dark days, be thankful for those who came to save the club, and be forever grateful to those players who, hopefully, led Newcastle into the Top 4 way ahead of time.
You can watch the full interview with fans outside of St James' Park by clicking here and heading over to our YouTube channel.
READ NEXT
- Jurgen Klopp insists he's 'not spoilt' as Liverpool boss sends 'deserved' message to Newcastle
- Elliot Anderson patience to be rewarded by Eddie Howe amid Newcastle United midfield crisis
- Eddie Howe talks about stadium dream that would see Newcastle United extend capacity beyond 52,000
- Dominik Szoboszlai's two words give Newcastle transfer encouragement after his Instagram like
- Newcastle star admits he had to get his 'act together' to silence critics after career first
