For the first time in my life I find myself supporting a club I have actually disliked down the years. However when it comes to the FA Cup final I will be cheering on Manchester City to complete the double. We all know why - because if they do Newcastle will be in Europe next season and, brother, do I want more of that after our Champions League experience.
I have never particularly liked Man City but I must confess I dislike Man U more so there is a certain logic in who I want to win. Perhaps one of the reasons I'm not a City fan dates back almost half a century to when they prevented me from getting my hands on what would have been my only winner's medal at Wembley. Newcastle lost 2-1 to City in the League Cup final of 1976 when a Toon fan Dennis Tueart scored a spectacular overhead winner.
We were actually the better team when Dennis became a menace but that is all in the past now. READ MORE: Howe hopes for progress on two deals in early Newcastle window breakthrough READ MORE: Almiron's agent breaks silence on Newcastle star's future in candid interview Europe is really important to United. I know the Europa Conference is hardly the Champions League but it is still a worthy competition against continental opposition and we don't want to be sitting out the main events twiddling our fingers.
Ironically the season which has just ended will be judged by what happens at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. If the Magpies make Europe it will be deemed a success, if they don't a failu.