Football On This Day – 29th February 2004 (yes I know its not the exact date but today is the anniversary of the occasion). Middlesbrough had to wait until "Leap Year Day" in 2004 to win their first EVER major national competition - the Carling Cup (League Cup).
Against Bolton, in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Middlesbrough took a two goal lead inside the first seven minutes (Joseph-Désiré Job and Boudewijn Zenden the scorers) before Bolton pulled one back through Kevin Davies to leave The Boro 2-1 winners.
Man Utd have not won a trophy since 2016-17 (EFL Cup and Europa League).
Newcastle United, has not won EFL Final before and last won a major trophy in 1954-5, the FA Cup. They were beaten by Man Utd in the 1999 FA Cup Final and attempt to win their first major trophy since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969. They are financed by Saudi Arabian money, quite successfully so far, with MUCH successful recruitment and the bright input of Eddie Howe. There is an upturn in Geordie fortunes, welcomed in the North-east since Bobby Robson's control! The best fans in the "World" apparently. Black and white stripes for the Magpies all down Wembley Way.
Organised by the English Football League (EFL), the competition is open to any club within the top four levels of the EFL system – 92 clubs in total, from the Premier League and the three divisions of the English Football League's own league competition (Championship EL One and EL Two).
First held in 1960-1 as the Football League Cup, it is one of the three top-tier domestic football competitions in England alongside the Premier League and the FA Cup although it is of far lower prestige.
As I type.....Wembley is heaving with Geordies as the game kick off looms.
P.s. The Magpies did win the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2006.
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