Wor Flags' emotional Sir Bobby Robson display to inspire Newcastle United against AC Milan
Wor Flags paid tribute to Sir Bobby ahead of Newcastle United's claash with AC Milan
Newcastle United supporters' group Wor Flags pulled on the heartstrings of thousands of Toon supporters inside St James' Park and millions across the world ahead of tonight's must-win Champions League clash with AC Milan.
With the players inside the tunnel, a giant surer flag - portraying the famous image of Sir Bobby Robson under an umbrella shielding from the rain at the Nou Camp - was unfurled on The Gallowgate. It was accompanied by one of Sir Bobby's famous quotes: "It's not beyond our wildest dreams, because we did have wild dreams."
It's been a display that the group has planned on doing all season but were debating on the right time to put into practice, and with so much riding on this evening's game - a win for Newcastle, and PSG failing to win in Dortmund would send the Magpies through to the next stage - it was felt the ideal opportunity to launch the display.
A spokesperson from Wor Flags said: "It's a nod back to when we were last in the Champions League and to the joy of those European nights. That image of Bobby has become iconic since then, so it felt like the perfect time to use it.
"As a quote, it's about what makes supporting this club special. It's not about expectations, it's never been about delusions, it's about hopes and dreams. Dreaming of being back in the Champions League. Dreaming of nights like beating PSG 4-1, and then seeing those nights return.
"And, while the outcome tonight isn't entirely in our control, as fans we can dream, and we can do our part to back the team and make those dreams a reality."
Ironically, it's 21 years to the week since that famous image of Sir Bobby was taken in the Nou Camp - the game with Barcelona was pushed back 24 hours due to the weather. That was the last time United played in Europe's elite competition until this season.
This time around Newcastle sit 3rd in the so-called Group of Death with five points having beaten PSG at St James' Park and picking up a point in Paris and Milan.
The game against PSG on Tyneside - a 4-1 victory for United - will live long in the memory of everyone who was there. Wor Flags' full stadium display certainly set the tone.
Tonight against AC Milan, the rest of the ground was a sea of black and white with fans twirling their black and white scarves and waving newly purchased flags.
Speaking about the effort that went into the display, the spokesperson for the group added: "As with all of our displays, there are hours of decision-making discussions, but usually last minute! As well as the banner and surfer, over two thousand new flags have been made, poled, and distributed around the ground, and old flags fixed up.
"It's a lot of work, these displays wouldn't happen without volunteers spending their free time doing hundreds of hours of unglamorous work.
"They also wouldn't happen without all of the donations and contributions from Newcastle fans globally, whether it's buying something from the shop, donating a few quid a month, or waving a flag before a match. It's incredible they keep backing us to put these displays together."