Famous London pub renamed and transformed for Newcastle supporters in honour of Eddie Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall
FORGET the Brown Ale – it’s all about the Mad Dog & Mags for the Toon Army in London this cup final weekend.
Thousands of Newcastle supporters have begun descending on the capital to watch Eddie Howe’s boys face Liverpool in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
It promises to be one big Black and White party in the build-up to Wembley and now Carling have ensured fans from the North East will feel right at home.
Popular pub The Dolphin, located by Kings Cross on Tonbridge Street, has been re-named and transformed especially for Newcastle supporters.
It has become the Mad Dog & Mags in honour of Howe’s assistant head coach Jason Tindall and, of course, the Toon Army themselves.
Part of the Toon takeover saw the new name go up this morning as well as photos of the man affectionately known as Mad Dog.
Once inside, fans can get their pints in specially designed glasses and coasters that include Tindall, captain Bruno Guimaraes and popular defender Dan Burn plus legend Shola Ameobi.
Tindall recently revealed the origin of his nickname was down to his touchline antics.
The 47-year-old has worked as assistant to Howe at Bournemouth and Burnley before Newcastle but has hit the headlines and become the star of several social memes.
Both opposition supporters and managers love to hate him.
Jurgen Klopp was irked by Tindall as he claimed that the ruling regarding only one member of coaching staff to stand at the front of the technical area during matches was introduced specifically due to the Magpies.
Aston Villa’s Unai Emery appeared to snub Tindall’s handshake last term while JT was also involved in a tunnel bust-up with the Spaniard’s backroom staff this term.
But his actions have made him a big hit with Newcastle fans.
He said: “It was the first year we were in Saudi Arabia and we played a game there.
“A guy was doing the commentary who I think was standing in for someone because the traffic was horrendous and the original commentator didn’t make it on time.
“So the guy who did the commentary kept referring to me as ‘mad dog’ and it was only after the game had finished that he came up to me and asked if I could do a video message to his wife. He put it out on social media and from that moment on, it took off.”
Meanwhile, win or lose, Toon supporters WILL NOT be on the booze on the train back this Sunday.
Even if the Magpies can end a 70-year wait for major silverware then there will be no champagne corks being popped.
British Transport Police made an official request for dry trains and LNER and other companies will be operating an alcohol-free policy for all departures from 7.30pm from King’s Cross.
Officers and security will be on duty to enforce it and no alcohol can be brought on to or purchased on board any trains.
The potential party pooping news comes after extra trains were put on to help fans get to Wembley and back from the North East.
Supporters faced huge disruption due to Network Rail engineering works between Newcastle and York, with rail replacement buses servicing Durham and Darlington.
LNER moved to help with the huge demand by putting on six extra services, with two of those travelling from Newcastle to King’s Cross on Sunday morning.