FA Cup heads to St James’ Park | OneFootball

Newcastle United fans have managed to get their hands on the FA Cup.

Indeed, two FA Cups.

St James’ Park having hosted an event for 125 guests when both trophies, men’s and women’s FA Cup silverware, visited.

This was a visit to Newcastle United’s Memory Cafe as part of their joint initiative with the Alzheimer’s Society, which aims to raise awareness about the signs of Dementia.

The ‘Support the Supporters’ campaign also encourages fans to take the first steps in seeking an all-important diagnosis.

Official release from The FA – 7 February 2025:

‘The Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup trophies paid a visit to Newcastle United’s Memory Cafe as part of our joint initiative with Alzheimer’s Society’s which aims to raise awareness about the signs of Dementia.

The ‘Support the Supporters’ campaign also encourages fans to take the first steps in seeking an all-important diagnosis.

More than 125 guests had the chance to post with the trophies at St James’ Park ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup double header which sees the Magpies take on Birmingham City and Crystal Palace in the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup respectively.

Newcastle’s last cup-winning captain Bob Moncur was also in attendance as he relived the club’s Inter-Cities Fairs Cup triumph in 1969, along with his memories of leading the team out at Wembley in the 1974 FA Cup final.

“I first got involved in the Memory Café when it was created five years ago,” explained Moncur. “In the early days, we had around 30 people attending so it’s satisfying to witness how much it has grown and grown.

“I think it’s great what the club does to keep in touch with older people through the programme, particularly those living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It can be surreal to see how people’s faces change when discussing football; suddenly they’re engaged and memories come flooding back.

“Welcoming the FA Cup trophies, with such an illustrious history, has been the perfect way to kick-off the first Memory Café of the year and it’s been a privilege to share recollections of past cup ties with a record-high number of attendees.”

Launched in 2019, the Memory Cafe is the north east’s biggest football drop-in session for those living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, reuniting attendees with past generations of fan favourites, using stories and artifacts to stimulate conversation through memories of games from years gone by.

The programme has grown to support up to 125 individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, along with their families, by combining football with the provision of referrals for medical assistance.

“Newcastle United’s Memory Café is a great example of the impact clubs can make in their local community and we have been delighted to bring a little cup magic along to today’s special session alongside our partners at the FA,” said Matt Hughes-Short, strategic change programme manager at Alzheimer’s Society.

“Our Support the Supporters campaign is hoping to shine a light on programmes, like Newcastle’s, at clubs across the country, whilst also calling on fans to understand the common Dementia symptoms to look out for and the importance of diagnosis.

“Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time, but one in three people living with it don’t have a diagnosis. A diagnosis can change the game, unlocking the door to treatment, care and support. We know that getting this diagnosis doesn’t mean you suddenly stop becoming a football fan, which is why support networks like the Memory Café are so important to so many supporters.”