A Northumberland librarian has described Dan Burn as a "hero" in his hometown after putting up a display in Blyth Library.
Burn was instrumental in Newcastle United's run to the Carabao Cup final and scored his first (and so far only) goal for the club in a 2-0 quarter final win over Leicester City at St. James' Park. But it's not just his performances on the pitch that have captured hearts in his hometown, with the librarian who put the display together saying that he shows that "it doesn't matter where you come from to be successful".
Tracy Archbold, senior library assistant at Blyth Library, admits that the display was "her just getting carried away", when she put it together, which she describes as "just a few printouts and the Newcastle United books we have in stock". But she chose to do it as Burn has been an inspiration in Blyth since he joined his boyhood club last January from Brighton for £13m, with him since becoming an integral part of United's backline.
Tracy said: "I think looking through Facebook posts, Dan is a bit of a hero really at the moment, isn't he? His dance is going viral and all sorts.
"Blyth has such a bad name at the moment, an article in The Sun a few weeks ago really went for all the negatives about the town. But I think Dan has proven that it doesn't matter where you come from, if you want to be successful you can."
And with the display aiming to reflect something important to the community, Tracy says that more people than ever have been coming in since the library was designated as a warm space as local people are hit by the cost of living crisis. She continued: "We're seeing a lot of people in here who wouldn't necessarily come in for books so we're trying to provide for everybody, not just book readers.
"I like to think that the library at the moment is just a very warm and welcoming space for the whole of the town's community."
Newcastle United make their first appearance at the new Wembley on Sunday February 26 and a win against Manchester United won bring the club its first domestic silverware since 1955. Tracy finished: "I would like to say that they're going to win.
"You can't say anything else, can you? I have to!
"I'd love that, and I'd also love Dan Burn to come and see us himself, we'd be up for that. Let's hope he sees it!"
Northumberland Libraries also announced on Friday morning that theatre show "The Devil Danced in Our Eyes" would come to Cramlington and Blyth Libraries to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month on February 15 and 16. For more information, visit the Northumberland Libraries website.
What tributes have you seen ahead of Newcastle United's appearance at Wembley this month? Let us know!
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