THE STAFF OF DREAMS

Two-goal local hero Sean has Tyne of his life by booking Toon Wembley date

- ANDY DUNN

AS if the Saudi millions are not enough, as if the special talent of a number of expensive recruits is not enough, as if an outstanding manager is not enough, they also have a local hero.

And you know how much they love one of those in these parts.

If the owners wrote their dream script when taking over this club, Newcastle United have pretty much followed it to the letter.

Only four clubs in the world spent more than the Toon in 2022 and, ahead of this nervous procession, they paraded a £45million signing.

Yet leading their stumble to a first Wembley final since 1999 was Sean Longstaff, born down the road and with the club since he was a boy.

There was a misstep when Che Adams completed the unusual task of beating Nick Pope at this ground.

But Longstaff's two goals in the opening 21 minutes had all but ensured the visit to Wembley.

To begin wi white rave. Remember some local misgivings about the Saudi ownership? Any of those have been washed away by a tide of euphoria and that is no exaggeration.