Whitley Bay and Marske United have the chance of glory on a big stage in the final of the Brooks Mileson Northern League cup tonight.

Newcastle United have agreed to let St James’ Park be used for the league cup final in the league’s 125th anniversary season, with a crowd of over a thousand expected.

“It’s the perfect way to end what has been a memorable and greatly successful 125th anniversary season,” said league chairman Mike Amos. “We’re very grateful to Mike Ashley and his board at Newcastle United for allowing us to sign off in this way.

“The venue couldn’t be more appropriate. Newcastle United began life as a Northern League club, playing their first NL game at St James’ Park on December 7 1892.”

Whitley have doubts over top scorer Paul Chow as well as defender Craig MacFarlane and striker Craig Hubbard, while Marske manager Ted Watts chooses from a squad of 18.

Honours are even between the two clubs in the league. Marske won 3-2 at Mount Pleasant, while Whitley won 5-0 at Hillheads.

A special souvenir programme is also on sale which will trace the Magpies’ connections with the Northern League from the early years in the shadow of Leazes Terrace to the arrival of Northern League men like Chris Waddle and Alan Shoulder, with whom there are exclusive interviews. Magpies historian Paul Joannou also looks back at an early Northern League derby between Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End at St James’ Park in which players from both sides were sent off for brawling.

Admission is just £5, £3 for concessions to the East Stand only.