Young Newcastle fan spotted on TV, school issues ‘unauthorised absence’ notice

The young Newcastle United fan, fondly known as ‘Sammy’ on social media, was at the center of a touching and slightly humorous moment after his side beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

Sammy, who reportedly ‘skipped school’ to travel to North London for the game, was caught live celebrating Newcastle’s historic win at the Emirates Stadium. It was Newcastle’s first away win against Arsenal since 2010 thanks to a brilliant performance from Alexander Isak.

The Away Day Tours Facebook page posted an image of Sammy’s jubilant celebration with the light-hearted caption: ‘This young lad was caught live last night celebrating Newcastle’s win over Arsenal. He missed school that day, so the family received a gift. below the email, I don’t think it was a geographic trip!”

The message was accompanied by a screenshot of an email from Sammy’s school, which said: “Dear parents, I would like to inform you that Sammy’s absence on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 will now be marked as unauthorized. This is due to the shots in the mass media in which he is depicted. in London for a football match, please contact us at school if you would like to discuss this further.’

The playful mention of a “geographical trip” seemed to add to the charm of the situation as fans online rallied behind Sammy’s decision to prioritize the big game. Newcastle’s victory was a defensive masterclass, with the in-form Isaac scoring his 10th goal in nine games as the team held off Arsenal despite a relentless attack from the Gunners. Arsenal had 23 shots but could not convert, while Newcastle capitalized on their chances to secure a crucial lead ahead of the second leg.

Head of Arsenal Mikel Arteta then made some strange remarks about the match ball after his side’s 2-0 defeat by Newcastle. Arsenal face a tough task of making up for the second leg at St James’ Park on Wednesday 5 February. The Magpies, currently on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions, continue to dream of ending their 55-year wait for a major trophy.

For Sammy, the experience will likely remain in family history for years to come, even if it costs him a day of schooling. As one fan put it, “Memories like these are worth more than perfect attendance.”