Let joy on Tyneside be unconfined. Newcastle United currently sit third in the Premier League and are in the semi-finals of a major domestic cup final for the first time in years with a winnable two-legged tie against Southampton. A first Wembley final since 1999 tantalisingly beckons.
In truth, Newcastle United and the League Cup have rarely been happy bedfellows. If the Magpies (at one time anyway) enjoyed formidable FA Cup success, the other cup (today it’s the Carabao variety) has largely delivered an annual tale of woe. The club’s first involvement with the new competition back in October 1960 was, almost inevitably, marked by defeat - 4-1 away to mighty Colchester United. And that capitulation largely set the tone for the years that followed.
Until now, United have progressed beyond the quarter-final stages only once - and that was 47 long years ago. On January 21, 1976, an expectant crowd of 49,902 - the second largest of the season - flocked to St James’ Park to see the Magpies face Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final second leg of the League Cup.
