At the age of 14, Nancy Hall watched her first Newcastle United game at St James' Park having been sneaked, via a family friend who was also a journalist, into the press box.
"They told me to be quiet, imagine that! It's an impossibility to keep me quiet," she joked.
74 years later, Nancy watched her latest Toon game from the comfort of the Chairman's suite at the behest of co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi. The pair, who form part of the group that took over the club in October 2021, heard about Nancy's commitment to the club and invited her to the Brentford game which ended five-one to the Magpies. The goals came from Bruno Guimaraes who scored a double, Jacob Murphy, Miguel Almiron and an own goal with Nancy fully believing the footballing gods were in her favour.
"Eeee, 5-1! Howay. It doesn't happen very often, does it? But we're moving forward, Newcastle are moving forward. It was absolutely wonderful."
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The Greenside resident got to meet Amanda and Mehrdad and described them as 'friendly' although she admitted being slightly more excited to bump into Newcastle legend Bob Moncur. "I was nudging my friend saying 'there's Bobby, there's Bobby,' he was lovely. He came back at full-time to ask if 'we'd enjoyed it.' "The whole day was lovely, absolutely lovely, and they make you feel so, so welcome."
Nancy at 88-years-of-age still has her season ticket in the Gallowgate, as she has done for many decades, and spends her week looking forward to the games at St James' Park. She describes those she sits with as a 'second family,' with those on hand to make sure she gets to her seat and others to supply her with imperial mints.
The Gallowgate End for Nancy, as it is for so many, is a magical part of the ground: "It's the heart of the place, and the roar, when they score, is unbelievable. I'm one of them, I might struggle to walk but I'm up like a shot as soon as they score."
It's fair to see that Nancy is quite the character, chatty and outgoing and above all else known is known for her fanatical support of Newcastle United. Her front room is decorated with pictures of family waving flags in the stand, a 'Gallowgate End' sign hangs on the door, and a picture showcasing dozens of Newcastle legends hangs on the wall.
"I love that picture," Nancy she says as the begins to talk her way through the players on it. "I like him," she says pointing to Steve Harper before remarking how 'brilliant' Hughie Gallacher was but making sure it's known 'not in her time.' Then it's on to Rob Lee, 'brilliant' she says, and then Joe Harvey who, as a young player, stopped with her family and who she describes as Newcastle's 'greatest ever servant.'
Then there's Alan Shearer - Nancy recalls his celebration and his record-breaking goal at the Gallowgate End but more than anything, in her typical cheeky manner, his receding hairline. "[I remember] watching him when he had hair when he was young, and then it disappeared."
When it comes to famous number nines, Nancy has pretty much seen them all at Newcastle and as good as Shearer was, ranks Jackie Milburn as the best although is holding out that current number nine Callum Wilson can 'come good.' "Wilson is good. We'll give him time, he's still good. Some footballers are just accident-prone."
Nancy has rarely missed a game at St James' Park over the last 70 years - she remembers the classics - the five-nil against Manchester United in 1996, but going further back smiles at the memory of celebrations when Newcastle lifted the FA Cup three times during the 50s - last in 1955 when she was 33. Nancy recollects going to see the team return from Wembley as she, alongside her mam, joined thousands of others on the streets of Newcastle.
There's also the Fairs Cup of 1969 but with every happy memory that comes with talking about these cup wins, there's a tinge of sadness that 53 years on, that night in Budapest remains the last time a Newcastle captain lifted a major trophy.
"I never thought that would be the last time, no, never," she said. "You just can't believe it's been so long but with the team, we've got now, we're going to get something, when we get built up - we'll win something.
"Eddie Howe is good, he is brilliant. He must be a little like Sir Bobby Robson in terms of man management and if he's as good as him, we'll be alright. Howe's had a good start and he seems like a nice man!"
Howe's turnaround of Newcastle alongside the buy-out of Mike Ashley has installed hope across the fanbase. Nancy was one of those who continued to go during the Ashley years, and now can't quite believe the contrast. That feeling of hope means all the more to Nancy because of how much the club means to her.
"It's brilliant - we'll be in the top six, but you know I was still going when we had nothing. You may take me out of Newcastle but you'll never take Newcastle out of me. "
"My life - it revolves around Newcastle United. I'm lost on a Saturday [when they're not at home]. People ask me what I'm going to do when they're not playing at home,' I say watch it. I put the TV on and watch Jeff Stelling. He's fantastic, he's so funny.
"Without my football, I'd be totally lost. I go up to St James' Park, through those gates and I'm like a new woman - it's unbelievable. I'm thrilled to bits when I'm in. It keeps me young - would you think I'm 88? It's marvellous. I couldn't wish for anything more when I go to the game."
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