'My dad loved Newcastle and he would love this'

Carol placed a photo of her dad on a table in front of the TV as she and her family watched the final

When Newcastle bounced on to the pitch at Wembley just over a week ago, I like to think my dad Michael was watching.

In fact, we had lost him 11 months previously at the age of 87.

I sat at home with his two grandchildren and my husband, excited to see the Carabao Cup final, and instinctively placed a photo of Dad on a table in front of the screen.

He would have loved it.

I imagined him silent with nerves or pacing the floor as I had seen so many times before, clinking his loose change and doubling our pocket money if they won.

It was a way of him seeing the game and being there, having been Newcastle United's biggest fan since he was a boy, growing up above Granny's newsagents in Walkergate in the shadow of the yards.

Often he would cycle up to St James' Park just to hear the roar of the home crowd.

His love of football was old school - if there was a North East team in a big game he would be behind them, regardless of the colour of strip.

Newcastle United were a second wife, a reason not to call during those precious 90 minutes, the motivation of heartbreak and joy.

Carol's Dad Michael was always convinced Eddie Howe would bring the club cup success

Dad's 30-year career in the police force would provide him with opportunities to volunteer for matchday duty which he relished.

He would be able to be in the ground and keep half an eye on the action at the same time.

I can still remember the delight on his face when recalling a moment of fame during one of these shifts.

His helmet was knocked off by a misdirected strike, to be caught on Match of the Day cameras in the 1970s.

The responsible footballer laughed and waved an apology and to Dad it felt like the joy of the birth of one of his children.

He had kept his health long enough to see the Magpies lose to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup at Wembley two years ago and maintained until his last breath that "Eddie Howe would do it".

Newcastle's win is being celebrated in the city on Saturday

Two days after the victory I was presenting a live Look North from St James' Park and, at the very end of the programme, I took a photo of Dad from my pocket and mentioned that he had been there, in a way.

I had no idea of the kind of response this would receive.

So many people have been in touch to say how they were moved to tears because they had the same story to tell. A loved one, no longer here to see the longed for trophy after decades of loyalty. So many.

When Dan Burn's goal went in, my husband leapt to his feet and shouted "Michael! Mick!" and it needed no explanation.

We all keep them alive in our thoughts through the big moments in life and there is another to come this Saturday as the celebrations continue on the bus parade and at Town Moor.

'More than football'

I would love to continue hearing your stories about special people who did not get to see this day and feature them on the BBC.

Please share your stories and photos of loved ones who would have been so ecstatic to see Newcastle United win the Carabao Cup.

Ever since Newcastle's victory our colleagues at BBC Radio Newcastle have received many calls and messages from fans telling us how much it meant to them and their family.

Breakfast presenter Matt Bailey said: "For instance, Anne rang me the morning after, on my breakfast show, to tell me that she had watched it with 10 other residents in her sheltered accommodation.

"They had shared stories and memories of their loved ones who were no longer with them, as well as a bit of champagne at the full-time whistle.

"Anne has been just one of many to get in touch to say this win was so much more than just football."

You can send your stories and photos to [e-mail] or Whatsapp [phone] and start your message with the word BBC.

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