Alan Shearer delivered a touching tribute to his father as Newcastle United celebrated the end of a 70-year trophy drought.
The beloved Magpies icon joined jubilant fans at a Saturday bus parade to commemorate the club`s triumphant Carabao Cup win.
Eddie Howe`s team defeated Liverpool 2-1 two weeks prior, securing their first domestic silverware in seven decades.
Massive crowds of supporters lined the streets of Newcastle to welcome their victorious team back to the North East.
Shearer, a former Newcastle striker, was among the emotional throngs outside St James` Park.
Growing up in nearby Gosforth, the 54-year-old`s love for football was nurtured by his father, Alan Sr.
Shearer`s father passed away last year at the age of 80 after battling cancer.
Alan Sr. was just 11 when Newcastle last clinched a domestic trophy in 1955.
Shearer revealed that his father was present at Newcastle`s prior trophy win before the Carabao Cup, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
Speaking with emotion on stage after the parade, Shearer shared, “Yes, sadly, my dad passed away last May.”
“He was fortunate enough to be at the `69 final.”
“I just wish he could have held on for another year to experience this moment.”
“But he would have been watching and would have been as proud as I am.”
Shearer confessed to shedding tears at Wembley Stadium as Newcastle secured the win against a late Liverpool surge.
He mentioned on the Rest is Football Podcast: “I have to admit, a couple of tears welled up when the final whistle blew because I thought of my dad.”
“I just wish he had been here yesterday. But he was certainly looking down.”
“Even in his final days, he spoke about Newcastle, his hopes for their success, and winning the trophy.”
Shearer previously discussed his father`s profound influence in a heartfelt column last year.
In The Athletic, he wrote: “Without my dad, a part of me feels lost and adrift, and I hope you understand.”
“Without being overly sentimental, perhaps you could think of him when the Match of the Day theme music plays this weekend.”
“I know I will. And, if it feels right, think of your own family too.”
“I`ll be at the BBC studios in Salford this weekend, and I honestly can`t describe how it will feel when that iconic tune begins, but I know it will be very difficult.”
