'Higher than Kevin Keegan days' - Newcastle United legend predicts bright summer on Tyneside

Newcastle United legend John Beresford will spearhead an end of season party on Tyneside - and knows that the city will be jumping come the end of May, regardless of how the campaign ends.

The former left-back knows how the good times roll at St James' Park after helping the club climb from the bottom of the old Second Division and into Europe in the 1990s. Beresford actually found himself as the club's top scorer in the Champions League at one stage too.

But knows that with the type of investment being bandied around by the Saudi-backed Magpies, the club could eclipse the Keegan era in the years to come. For now, he is happy to marvel at what has been an amazing turnaround under Eddie Howe.

Beresford told Chronicle Live: "What we are talking about is a season of two halves. From my point of view I do the corporate side of things at St James' Park and it was tough.

"All of a sudden the takeover came along. I knew there would be a response from it but being totally I honest I never thought it would be that big.

"The signings have been fantastic. The response to how we've improved the team, how the manager has the team playing and how the fans have reacted to it has just been phenomenal."

No sooner will the game away to Burnley have finished at Turf Moor, United fans back on Tyneside will be savouring the season in the company of Beresford and his former team-mate Steve Howey.

Beresford said: "I got asked to do the Toon Toon Black and White Party on May 22 I was up for it. It's always nice to have the final game of the season at home but if you aren't there is no better way to celebrate than with a bit of a party.

"That's how it will feel - the mood is optimistic and good. The feeling around the city is going to be as