Newcastle trophy parade LIVE: Toon Army celebrations go into the night for HISTORIC Carabao Cup win over L’pool
NEWCASTLE players and staff celebrated with gathered locals fans at Town Moor after the side won their first trophy in 70 YEARS!
Eddie Howe's side beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to claim their first silverware in over half a century.
The side celebrated the famous victory, as they took to the stage in front of thousands of Newcastle supporters after parading the city in an open-top bus.
Fans were treated to a full replay of the game before welcoming the side's bus tour with the trophy.
Follow our live blog below...
Bruno, bruno, bruno!
Ant and Dec grab Eddie Howe
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe - already a legend in these parts - spoke to Ant and Dec through Percy Street.
Howe said: "I didn't know what to expect today.
"It's something really special, absolutely mind-blowing. I expected a few people to turn up, but this is something else.
"People hanging from lamp posts, out of buildings. I hope everyone is alright and thanks for coming you two!"
Ant hilariously added: "I feel like a competition winner!"
Asked for his thoughts on the massive flag at the Sandman Hotel, Howe replies: "It was very emotional, actually.
"When you go to a new club, you never know if people will take to you.
"I can't thank everyone enough, the way they have embraced me and my family. I just want to give them some joy."
Jacob Murphy: 'It's indescribable'
Newcastle star Murphy beams!
And the buses are out!
The crowds are screaming "Shearer, Shearer" as the two buses make their way out of St James' Park.
Boyhood Toon fans Ant and Dec are presenting at the front of the first bus!
Ant said: "Look at that! This is absolute brilliant chaos,
"We've got flares at the back of the bus, lads and lasses!"
Parade starts in TEN minutes!
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken their spots on their side of the road outside St James' Park!
The parade bus is scheduled to appear in just under TEN minutes time!
The players and Eddie Howe are surely waiting for their coach to depart!
Abseilers unveil huge Howe poster!
Update from SunSport's man on the ground
From Gary Stonehouse live at Town Moor
The cup celebrations are not the only party in town today.
There is a big wedding bash happening right next to the Town Moor shenanigans.
The bride and groom have a bird's-eye-view from their do!
Fans scale Shearer's statue!
Alan Shearer arrives
As the players and staff head towards the Town Moor, Newcastle will host a question and answer session with club legends for those already in attendance.
The Q&A segment will see Newcastle's leading goalscorer Alan Shearer take centre stage, along with Bob Moncur, Les Ferdinand and the women's team.
The 15 minute mark
The Wembley final is currently being shown on the big screens as fans pile into Town Moor.
But live entertainment will begin shortly at 4pm - half an hour before the parade bus leaves St James' Park.
Sonny Tennet, Ellie Scougall, The Belta Reivers and Paige Temperley are a few names down to perform.
Following them and the trophy celebrations, including a cup lift, Q&A with players and team photo, a light show will take place.
Toon Army surrounds St James' Park!
Fans are waiting for the parade bus to leave the stadium in less than an hour!
Open-top bus passes late fitness test
The bus transporting Newcastle's jubilant players and staff from St James' Park to Town Moor failed a late MOT this week.
On Tuesday, government records show that the plate set to be at the heart of today's celebrations failed its test as it was being prepared.
The issue was fixed the following day, however, and is now ready to go.
Testing manager Chris Reeves told : "It failed on a ramp with a minor wiring issue.
"The company took it away to get it fixed and we got it booked in for a retest on Wednesday, where it gladly passed.
"It's been thoroughly tested and it is all good to go."
Atmosphere ramping up outside stadium
Thousands of fans are already in place and ready to welcome their 2024/25 Carabao Cup champions.
We are around 60 minutes away from the team's open-top bus leaving St James' Park and making its way to Town Moor.
One fan has scaled Alan Shearer's statue and lite three flares - which are banned from Town Moor!
Where can I watch Newcastle's parade?
For those unable to attend the celebrations today in Newcastle, there are options to follow the event online.
A Sky Sports News special will broadcast on Sky channel 402 from 6pm to 7pm.
While Newcastle United's YouTube channel will also be streaming live.
And of course you can keep up to date with events right here on Sun Sport's live blog...
Our man on the ground
From SunSport's Newcastle correspondent Gary Stonehouse live at Town Moor.
While beers are getting downed in town, up on the Moor thousands are still cramming into the main event.
And, despite the rain, the weather is not dampening the atmopshere as the Toon Army enjoy a re-run of the Wembley win.
A stage has been set up for a Q&A with Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand before the players will come out.
Banned items at Town Moor
The open-top bus will arrive at Town Moor at approximately 5pm, but fans with tickets have been warned not to bring items into the event that are on the banned list.
The club have advised that the following things are not permitted on site:
- Alcohol
- Chairs/camping equipment
- Flags
- Pyrotechnics/flares
- Drones
- Pets
It is a dry event and supporters have been urged to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Early best dressed award nominees
Taking inspiration from the black and white Golden Globes this year...
Key parade timings
Newcastle have issued a statement informing attending fans that they should arrive on time in order to make the most of the day.
1.30pm - Town Moor site opens.
2pm - Final match replay.
4pm - Main Stage entertainment.
4.30pm - Bus parade starts.
5pm - Q&A with Legends.
6.35pm - Players take to the Main Stage.
7.15pm - Sela spectacular surprise.
8.15pm - Site closes.
Ant and Dec have arrived
Geordie royalty Ant and Dec have been seen outside St James' Park as anticipation continues to build over today's event.
Chronicle Live claim that they were spotted by a group of fans and laughed when asked: "What do you think of Sunderland?"
The iconic pair walked through the chairman's entrance of the stadium after posing for pictures with fans and signing autographs.
Toon fans out since 8am this morning
Parade and bus route
Newcastle have confirmed that today's bus will depart St James' Park at around 4:30pm to kick off the festivities.
It will then make its way down Gallowgate, turn onto Percy Street, and head onto the B1318 towards Gosforth.
The bus will stop just once, at the Town Moor, where the players will then make their way onto the stage.
After that, live music and a special lights show by Saudi Arabian events company Sela.
Proceedings will begin at St James' Park Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to Sun Sport's live coverage of today's Carabao Cup trophy parade in Newcastle.
We will be bringing you all the latest news, updates and big moments from the open-top bus event.
Car parks are closed, roads are blocked off as nearly 150,000 fans will take to the streets to watch their heroes celebrate the Toon army's first domestic trophy in 70 YEARS.
A replay of the 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley will be shown at some point too!
"This will be one of the biggest events we have seen in the city," said Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council.
Fans have been on the drink since this morning 
For many, it's Newcastle's first trophy in their life time