A TEA lady who brewed up for Newcastle United managers and players for nearly half a century has died, aged 90.

Great-grandmother Kath Cassidy, who had been a Magpies fan all her life, started pouring cups of tea for football royalty in 1968 when a neighbour asked her to help out at St James' Park.

She stayed at the ground until the age of 88 when she retired due to ill health after making thousands of cups of tea for the 27 different managers and hundreds of footballers.

As the team played she kept busy keeping the pot boiling in the press suite where she looked after journalists from around the world.

A statement on the Newcastle United said the club is “deeply saddened” by her death.

The statement added: “Our beloved Kath loyally served the club for half a century and was adored by managers, players and staff alike.

“She sadly passed away on Monday in Newcastle, aged 90.

“The thoughts of everyone connected with Newcastle United are with Kath’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

Kath only missed a handful of games while working at the club, and organised her holidays around matches to make sure she was there.

She won the special achievement award at the Official Football Hospitality Awards 2012 after Alan Pardew wrote a glowing letter of nomination.

Kath's favourite managers were Alan Pardew and Kevin Keegan, who she described as "gentlemen."

Speaking at the time of her retirement Kath said: "Alan Pardew sent flowers to the hospital when I was ill.

"I got told he was coming to see me at my home so I threw everything into the cupboards and put the kettle on. He brought chocolate, sweets, cakes.

"I have never met a person I have really took to like him.

"They were all very nice, they would bring cups of tea to me. They treated me like I was their mother.

"Bobby Robson was a man's man. He was a lovely man.

"When I was kissing Kevin Keegan I thought I had died and gone to heaven, he was such a nice, caring man. Everybody loved him, he should never have left.

"When I look back I'm glad I spent all these years at Newcastle United and I would do it all again."