As 300,000 Newcastle fans gathered on the streets of the city just 12 months ago, history had already been made as Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup, but for Toon fan Alan Jones and his brilliant Geordie Folk band The Belta Reivers, he admits he is still processing the enormity of what he calls a “huge privilege”
The Belta Reivers
For Newcastle United lover Alan Jones, it was the coming together of two of his biggest passions in life as 300,000 Geordie fans scrambled high up the city’s buildings, lamposts, car parks and trees to show their appreciation for the homecoming of the club’s first major domestic honour since 1955.
Dubbed the “Geordie Knebworth” by some fans, for one day it all boiled down to one of the greatest Tyneside gatherings in Newcastle’s history. And the Belta Reivers were at the centre of it all as fans responded perfectly with the distinctive tones of the folk singer.
Not since the days of black and white TV and Wor Jackie had Newcastle brought home an English trophy, but in 2025, it was a day in which the emotions overflowed for good reasons in a city renowned for normally crying its heart out. The likes of Alan Shearer and Rob Lee paraded around Newcastle in 1998 and 1999 in an open-top bus with no trophy!
But after the Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley, it was the cue for the city council and the club to get their heads together and celebrate a day for the ages. As talks were ongoing and suggestions of multi-BRIT award-winning singer Sam Fender rocking the Town Moor began to explode, Jones – the lead singer and guitarist of the Belta Reivers – was in Ireland, almost oblivious to a life-changing moment.
(Image: Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)
Jones and his crew are well known in the city for entertaining fans on match days at the STACK with renditions of classics such as the Blaydon Races and Home Newcastle, not to mention some excellent ditties about Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and newer releases about Malick Thiaw.
Jones didn’t quite know it then, but he was soon to get a game-changing phone call. He told Chronicle Live: “I was on holiday in Ireland.
“I’d had it arranged after what I thought the biggest gig of the year would be, the pre-match gig at The Stack (before the Carabao Cup final)
“There was 3,000 there on that day. But after we won the cup, I went to celebrate with my son in Ireland.
“But I was getting phone calls asking when I was coming back because we were wanted for a REALLY big gig!
“Yet all the details were unclear. I was messaging lads I play football with if anyone had heard anything about it.
“It was being put together really quickly for an event that size. Once we knew, we just had to be patient and make sure we could do the job.”
As the pace began to gather and the council gave the street parade and Town Moor gathering the green light, there was talk of big-names arriving and spearheading the celebrations.
Alan Shearer confirmed his attendance, Ant & Dec would be there, Les Ferdinand, Bobby Moncur and a host of club legends. But in the end, with the excitement and emotions palpable as Eddie Howe and his squad braced themselves for the parade, the Belta Reivers could not have set the tone in greater fashion.
Even now the replay of the gig has had close to half a million views on YouTube, but Jones told me he had to pinch jimself at time. The Geordie Folk band went from being on the list of Entertainers on the day to pretty much headlining the Town Moor gig!
Jones, with a smile, said: “There had been talk of Sam Fender. In a way, I’m glad that never happened because you would have people from down south and everywhere just come for a free Fender gig.
“This way it was all Newcastle fans, and we got to headline instead! Although there was only one headliner on the day, Bruno and the lads of course.
“It’s more than massive for us. Surreal really. As gigs worldwide that has have ever been ever, it’s massive. I think we’re somewhere between Springsteen in 86 and U2 in 97, I’ve been told.”
Bob Moncur on stage at the Town Moor(Image: Craig Connor/Newcastle Chronicle)
With the tone set perfectly by the band, the Newcastle squad were then ushered on to the stage by security to display the cup to the Town Moor as tens of thousands looked on. As Jones and his band left the stage, there was a familiar face waiting for them.
Jones said: “Alan Shearer was there and he congratulated us. He’s a true gent.
“But it was more the response from the security guards, stewards and people like that who were great.
“Hearing a hundred thousand people shout “Oh, When The Mags” back at you, that’s just incredible.
“The whole thing was surreal to us. We are Newcastle fans after all.
“Just walking around backstage was surreal and we were like: ‘Oh there’s Bobby Moncur just ordering a coffee.’ After the gig, we went to the after-party.
“I had a pint with Les Ferdinand! It was bizarre. And Shola Shola Ameobi. And Steve Harper. All top blokes and everyone in great spirits.”
The success story for the Belta Reivers has gone on since that day on the Town Moor 12 months ago. They have hits on Spotify and continue to warm up the crowd on a match day at the STACK.
Alan said: ”Playing the Stack every match day is an absolute honour and a privilege. It does give us extra pressure on the day mind.
“I’ve always got an eye on the team sheet and another on the songs. But we’ve got a good routine now.
“People keep asking us to release more of the songs and chants, so we’ve done that. And we’ll keep doing that.
“As well as releasing some of the old Geordie folk songs, which is where we started out really.
“I just wanted to bring back some of the old songs that are at a bit of a risk of being lost.
“Whether that’s about a Collier Lad, or Mirandinha, I don’t mind singing either. I’m just a passionate Newcastle fan, Geordie and a music lover.”
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