June 11, 1969 is not a date that most football fans will remember. Unless of course you support Newcastle.
A few weeks later, Neil Armstrong would take his gigantic leap for humanity on the moon, but for Newcastle it marked the start of a big step backwards.
The Toon Army sank several battalions from Newcastle Brown Ale in 1969, because it was the last time that their club – due to common permission supported one of the best in the country – actually won a trophy.
Winning the inter cities Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the UEFA Cup and Europa League, came so long ago that the game was only covered for TV in black and white.
The magpies defeated Hungary's Ujpesti Dozsa 6-2 over the two-legged final, but have since had to endure a heartache, false and decades of near-missers.
That can all change this weekend, 56 years later.
If they were allowed to win the League Cup on Wembley on Sunday, Toon -Baas Eddie Howe Tyneside Sandliness will reach as the manager who finally brought silverwork home.
Many have tried it, all have failed, but Howe could be the one who can end 56 years of pain for Newcastle.
This competition represents so much more than just a trophy.
The point is that Newcastle is again a serious power.
And that the investment among their new owners translates into real success – that this is just the beginning, not the end of a new era for the club.
Howe has done remarkable work to convert Newcastle of relegation candidates into real contenders for silverware in just a few seasons.
Winning this final would be a declaration of intent, a sign that they are not only here to challenge, but to dominate.
Yet they have one big obstacle – and that is the best team in the country at the moment, Liverpool.
Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup – you name it, they won it.
Tuesday's unexpected exit means that there is no doubt that they will approach this game as injured tigers – dangerous and determined.
Quiz question? How many trophies have Liverpool won since 1969. I looked it up.
The Reds have lifted 12 league titles and are almost certainly about to make another one.
They also gathered six European cups, seven FA cups, ten competition cups, three UEFA cups and a club world cup.
That is 39 major trophies, to Newcastle's none. Liverpool is simply a club that knows how to win.
I suspect that many neutrals want a victory in Newcastle that story of woe and the Toon Army Hope and praying ends this weekend, finally ends that amazing streak.
The last domestic success of Newcastle came back even further when they won a third FA cup in just five seasons in 1955.
For a club that gets 52,000 in St James' park every home game, they are on a remarkably bad run – especially if you think some of the managers who have been on Tyneside, including the late Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan.
They both came very close to trophies, but Howe could be the one who finally supplies.
It will be fascinating to see how the Liverpool of Arne Slot reacts to their European exit through the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek.
It could galvanize the players to show their boss that PSG was only a blip on a different memorable season that sees them ready to win a record-similar 20th league title, level with their local Rivals Manchester United.
For Newcastle, losing this final would be complicated. Another painful chapter in a long history of near-misses.
But if they win? It could be the catalyst for a new dynasty, the first trophy in a new golden age for the club.
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