A career-long battle for recognition climaxed last month when the Blyth native scored in the Carabao Cup final. Burn’s bullet header fired the Magpies into the lead against Liverpool – and they never looked back.
Released by Newcastle as a youngster, the 6ft 7in defender rose through the divisions before cementing himself in the Premier League at Brighton aged 26. He harboured ambitions to rejoin his boyhood club but that dream appeared lost when PIF steamrolled into St James’ Park in October 2021.
However, an unexpected Eddie Howe phone call changed Burn’s life forever. The Toon boss made him one of his first Newcastle signings to help steer the club from relegation.
Viewed as a stop-gap signing, Burn has become a leading figure on Tyneside for almost three years. A movie-like journey has resulted in the 32-year-old representing the Magpies at Champions League level.
But nothing can top the moment Burn etched his name into Geordie folklore with a Wembley goal against Liverpool – helping Newcastle end 70 years without domestic silverware. Speaking on his YouTube channel, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand quipped how he has surpassed Shearer in legendary status.
“Did you see the letter his dad wrote?” Ferdinand said. “When the takeover happened with the Saudi group, he said to his dad ‘It looks like the dream has gone now, they’re never going to buy a player from Brighton’.
“And then they bought him. His dad talks about it in this letter. It’s a touching letter, it’s unbelievable. Then he scores (at Wembley). You know how you talk about living legends, that’s a real-life living legend now in Geordie land.
“If he goes out in Newcastle, my man is never buying a drink, dinner… anything. He might get free clothes now for life. He is a legend. We talk about legends, the word gets thrown about flippantly. Deep down, Shearer is gutted. He’s taken the title. He’s the king of Newcastle no more. The statue of Dan Burn is coming!”
Alan Shearer reaction nothing like Rio Ferdinand suggestion
In reality, Shearer could not have been happier for Newcastle and Burn. The Toon icon crowned the Wembley win as “probably the best” moment of his life.
“I said I was going to party heavier than anyone, I think I did,” Shearer said at the Town Moor celebratory event. “I don’t know where I am, what time it is, what day it is. The last two weeks have just been probably the best of my life and that Sunday at Wembley, it’s what we’ve all wanted and what we’ve all waited for for so long. It was bloody amazing.
“This is what I wanted, this is what we all wanted. I wanted this to happen in my lifetime and it’s happened, so whatever happens from now on, I can go happy. These guys who are backstage, Eddie Howe and the rest of the team have done us and done our magnificent city so proud, haven’t they?”
