One Newcastle United superfan has taken her love for the team to the next level, by transforming her room and covering it in Toon memorabilia to back the lads ahead of the cup final.
96-year-old Betty Brown is a resident of Beech Tree House in Alnwick, Northumberland and has got into the spirit by decking her room out for the Carabao Cup final this weekend.
Sunday's game will see Newcastle - who haven't won a major domestic trophy for 70 years now - play Liverpool. And for Betty, who has been to see the Magpies play at Wembley four times, the appetite for silverware is bigger than ever: "It's just as well I'm here now to see them play again... I'm hopeful!"
Betty, who describes herself as "'extroverted and eccentric", started creating her 'winter wonderland' display of Newcastle United merchandise in her room at Beech Tree just after Christmas.
Featuring a huge 'We're going to Wembley!' flag, 'Over the wall', Tonali posters and an NUFC flag behind her bed. Betty was even gifted a pillow with Eddie Howe's face on it and is often seen sporting her chequered black and white glasses.
She has even got the rest of the Beech Tree House community in the spirit, with black and white bunting spreading down the passageway from her room and black and white hoodies have been made up for the staff at Betty's request.
A proud Newcastle United season ticket holder for 45 years, Betty was up until recently a member of the 1892 club. She still follows all sport via TV, and is never one to miss a game.
Her love of football started at a young age, having first attended a Hartlepool United game aged eight with her father, and then Middlesbrough FC at 18. Betty became a Newcastle fan after meeting her late husband and jokes: "I became a Newcastle United fan when I was 50. It was a condition of my marriage!"
Ever since, she attended matches until she knew she couldn't continue to keep climbing the stairs of St James' Park. "I rang up the club for alternative seats but didn't want to be sat on the pitch taking corners! So we ended up with two tickets in the directors' box and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the suite at games."
Betty explained her love of decorating started before she moved into Beech Tree House: "I had four flagpoles back at home and in those days I even got permission from Sir John Hall to fly the Newcastle flag. Now I have the flags up in my place here." Betty has previously shared her creations with ChronicleLive during the covid pandemic, when she created a special flag after recovering from the illness.
On her goal predictions, Betty told had this to say: "The problem is Liverpool is a very, very good side, so as long as we can score more than them I'll be happy."
Betty's final words ahead of the big game: "Just please, please don't let it go to penalties! It's cruel." We quite agree, Betty!
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