A giant Newcastle United flag has appeared on The Angel of the North sculpture as excitement builds to fever pitch ahead of Carabao Cup Final at Wembley.
Pictures taken on Saturday morning show the huge flag emblazoned with the words NUFC, 'Howay The Lads' and '2023 Wembley' hanging from the wings of the Gateshead artwork. And the slogan seemed to capture the general mood as across the Tyne crowds were setting off from Central Station for London where Sunday's final at Wembley will see Newcastle United take on old rivals Manchester United.
It was not long before the 'culprits' appeared to reveal themselves. Wor Flags, whose fan-funded flag displays are hugely popular, took to Twitter to share a snap on the newly-adorned Angel with a message saying: "A leaving present from us. On to Wembley. Howay the Lads!"
Read more: Shola Ameobi raises Wor Flags tribute
Responses included: "I’m gutted I left to travel down yesterday now - this would have been amazing to see! Well done"; "You do us proud lads" and "Love it!! My son will be able to see this from his bedroom window when he wakes up."
It's not the first time Antony Gormley's sculpture, which is more than 65ft tall, has been claimed as a NUFC fan. Back in 1998 - the last time the team made it to a FA Cup final - fans used catapults and fishing wire to hoist an Angel-size replica of Alan Shearer's number nine shirt over it in a stunt which was captured on camera before officials could remove it.
The Angel, which recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary, has also worn a Santa hat at Christmas 2018. Dressing up the Angel is no mean feat given its height and structure and it is thought the unnamed group involved in the Santa hat used abseiling equipment, throwing ropes over the wings, to pull themselves up as photographs later emerged showing silhouettes in the darkness balancing on the wings to secure the hat in place.
In February the sculpture celebrated its milestone 25-year birthday with songs sung by local schoolchildren and a cardboard cake.
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