TYNE tots Gateshead are off to grace the treasured turf of Wembley where dreams are created and big brother Newcastle United once ruled the walk in the early fifties.
United were strutting FA Cup kings whereas the other black and whiters from the opposite bank of a great river are playing in the non-league version of our national knock-out competition come Sunday.
It is Gateshead v Halifax Town for the FA Trophy with the fabled Twin Towers of Wor Jackie's heyday having given way as a readily recognised landmark to the mighty arch of New Wembley.
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I have a great lasting affection for the Heed. While I am unquestionably a NUFC man from cradle to grave Gateshead are my second club who have also provided an unbreakable silver thread down life's path.
As a schoolboy with no money in empty pockets to support Newcastle when playing away I would walk from Benwell to Redheugh Park to watch Gateshead in the old Third Division North. Later upon joining the Chron as a junior hack my first reporting job was to cover Gateshead _ I spent my 21st birthday in a pub next to the old Tyne Tees Television studios quaffing ale with the players and a young unknown coach called Lawrie McMenemy.
I went on to own Gateshead for 11 years enjoying some fabulous days which brought forth wonderful personal memories which will never fade.
Right now as Wembley looms a particular one from my treasure trove leaps out. It was another significant Gateshead v Halifax match back in November of 2000.
We had made the first round of the FA Cup and had been drawn away to what was then a Football League club, the dream of every cash strapped and glory seeking non-league outfit.
Gateshead were part-timers, Halifax full time managed by former Newcastle and Sunderland star Paul Bracewell, and playing at The Shay, a ground steeped in history.
That we went there and deservedly won 2-0 to be hailed as giant killers quite made my day. That Brace, who I knew very well of course, had to enter the Halifax boardroom afterwards and formally offer his hand with the words "Congratulations Mr Chairman, well deserved" was a tad surreal.
And that we actually overcame possible 'dark arts' played by our hosts only heightened the delight.
The Shay was being upgraded at the time. Parts of it resembled a building site and at half-time, with us leading 1-0, we were locked out of our dressing-room and banished to sit in the weights room. Was it an accident? Or was it a deliberate ploy to unsettle non-league upstarts? What do you think?
Either way it worked a treat because the lads were incensed. It heightened their determination. They went back out and completed the job.
We celebrated as Geordies do on the coach back to Tyneside whereupon I invited anyone who felt like continuing to party to join me in my favourite Newcastle restaurant. We burst through the door with not a little noise when suddenly my gaze fell upon a table of Newcastle fans who resembled a herd of zebras in their black and white shirts.
United had played Sunderland in a massive derby at St James Park that afternoon _ I missed it because of the importance of Gateshead's cup-tie _ and I knew that the Mags had lost 2-1 with Thomas Sorensen saving an Alan Shearer penalty.
Immediately I felt guilty celebrating so loudly when the Toon had lost a home derby and went over to say sorry to the fans. "No sweat Gibbo," came the reply. "Gateshead's result is the only bit of good news we've had."
Bracewell, remember, was viewed by many as more of a Mackem than a Magpie having played for them on three separate occasions as well as being their assistant manager.
Now it is Gateshead v Halifax again. Tyneside's second team walk on Wembley very much as underdogs. They have been pared back to the bone by on-loan players returning to their parent clubs, players being cup-tied, and being injured. However nothing can take away their pride and the occasion. As long as you are breathing there is hope.
In truth it has been a startling season for Gateshead. Having been forced through player ambition to sell their top two goalscorers Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott to Notts County (who they have helped propel back into the Football League) it looked for a long while as though immediate relegation was inevitable but former Newcastle favourite Mike Williamson rallied his squad to a worthy 14th place finish and a Wembley final. In their own land of rigid financial restrictions it is almost as commendable as what has been achieved across the water at SJP.
This is an epic weekend for Gibbo and all Geordies. The Heed go for Trophy glory on Sunday and the following night United wind up their SJP programme against Leicester City with Champions League qualification still a celebration they control. Oh, heady days.
As Gateshead life president and Newcastle United chronicler for 57 unbroken years black and white pride is surging through aged veins. May Gateshead repeat the 2-0 victory over Halifax I enjoyed as underdogs back in the early noughties and United enjoy the climax to a heady campaign never envisaged a year ago.
