A Newcastle United fan was left red-faced after getting a ‘Cup Winners’ tattoo three days before their Wembley final defeat.
Kris Cook got the four-inch tattoo inscribed on his left leg just a few days before the Magpies lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester United on Sunday.
Despite having etched a permanent reminder of the club’s disappointing loss on his skin, the 31-year-old insists he has no regrets.
But he confessed his family aren’t fans of the tattoo, and his mates found it hilarious.
During the cup final, Newcastle failed to end a major trophy drought stretching all the way back to 1969.
The tattoo reads in full “Tell me ma me ma, NUFC Cup winners 26/02/23” and was done “for a laugh” during one sitting.
Dad-of-one Kris, from Cramlington, Northumberland, said: "I got it done last Thursday, three days before the cup final.
"I was going in for a day session at the tattoo place anyway to get a sleeve done and then decided last minute to get the Newcastle tattoo on my leg too.
"It was all for a laugh and I had mentioned to my mates that I might get it done, but they were shocked when I went through with it.
"One of them said, 'Jesus Christ what have you had done'.
"The tattoo is about four inches wide and four inches long and is just above my knee on my left leg.
"It took about 10 minutes to do and was thrown in with the £400 cost of booking the tattooist out for the day to have my arm sleeve done.
"The tattoo says, 'tell me ma me ma' which is a NUFC chant from the 90s and one we sing at St James' Park
"I don't regret getting it done at all. I might do when I'm older but for now, I just think it's funny."
While Kris is unfazed by the permanent inking on his leg, his gran in particular has not approved.
Kris, who works in sales, added: "My eight-year-old daughter Honey thinks it's funny and my mum is not fussed but my gran hates it.
"She has always been anti-tattoos and I am covered in them. I think the Newcastle United one was just a step too far for her.
"The girl who does my tattoos is from Sunderland so she probably enjoyed it that little bit more."
Kris and his mates made the 280-mile journey down to London last weekend for Newcastle's first major final in over two decades.
He watched the match at the Boxpark Venue near to Wembley Stadium and said he was still proud of Eddie Howe's boys even though they were defeated.
Newcastle missed out on winning their first silverware since 1969 after two first half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
Kris added: "I can't remember much of the match if I'm honest as me and my friends had been drinking all day and celebrating so the initial defeat didn't hit me.
"I am disappointed that we didn't win but I am so proud of the team for getting to Wembley and we will be back.
"Give Newcastle a few years and we will start winning lots of things.
"I have always been a Newcastle fan and I think Geordie football is drilled into you from such a young age.
"I am still very proud of my team despite the outcome."
