Nothing beats the adrenaline and joy of witnessing your favorite team finally break a decades-long drought and claim a trophy—fans cherish these moments that make all the waiting worthwhile. But here's where it gets controversial: some might argue that such long waits diminish the celebration, while others believe that the greater the struggle, the sweeter the victory. Let’s explore inspiring stories from recent years where perseverance paid off, and how these victories sparked intense emotions and renewed pride.
Newcastle United
On March 16, 2025, Newcastle achieved a historic milestone by winning the Carabao Cup, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/16/newcastle-sink-liverpool-to-savour-taste-of-glory-after-decades-of-drought). This marked their first major trophy in 56 years—a moment that fans who have followed the club through thick and thin will never forget.
Dad’s Perspective: As someone from the Baby Boomer era, I grew up thinking that winning cups was almost an automatic right. Our club’s glory days included triumphs in 1951, 1952, and 1955, with Wembley feeling like our second home. But the road back to victory had its share of hardships: nearly two decades passed before we returned for the FA Cup in 1974, only to face a heartbreaking loss to Liverpool, with Emlyn Hughes proudly gloating. Further setbacks like the 1976 League Cup final against Manchester City, and Wembley defeats at the hands of Arsenal in 1998 and Manchester United in 1999, kept hopes alive amid ongoing disappointment. I remember attending the 2023 Carabao Cup final (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/feb/26/manchester-united-newcastle-united-carabao-cup-final-match-report), my first with my son Richard. It felt like a sign that our Wembley curses might finally lift. While it didn’t, sharing that moment with him made the experience richer.
Son’s View: Born in the late 70s, I’ve seen many early hopes dashed. Sometimes, promising teams led by Keegan or Sir Bobby fell just short of glory, leaving us longing for a trophy. The ownership shenanigans during Mike Ashley’s regime turned dreams into dust, and I’d resigned myself to a life where lifting a trophy seemed impossible. But then, the 2021 takeover and the appointment of Eddie Howe (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/08/newcastle-confirm-appointment-of-eddie-howe-as-new-manager) gave us renewed hope and, finally, the talent to match ambition. Standing alongside my dad at Wembley in 2025, celebrating that victory against Liverpool, was an emotional culmination—proof that patience can pay off.
Rory McIlroy
On April 13, 2025, golfer Rory McIlroy secured a rare and significant victory at the Masters, beating Justin Rose in a playoff (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/14/masters-rory-mcilroy-reaction-win-lifts-burden), 16 years after his first appearance at Augusta.
Managing to handle the immense pressure over such a long period demonstrates Rory’s extraordinary mental resilience. At Holywood Golf Club, my workplace and Rory’s hometown club, many members who knew him as a kid were over the moon, understanding how much this win meant for his family and community. Since that win, we’ve seen an influx of young golfers eager to emulate Rory’s success, joining our youth programs with dreams of their own breakthroughs.
Recently, a father called to enroll his two-year-old son in our junior categories. His enthusiasm illustrates how Rory’s achievements have elevated golf’s profile in Northern Ireland and beyond. Rory’s influence makes our club a hub for aspiring players and reinforces the idea that dedication can inspire generations (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/dec/19/a-great-night-for-golf-mcilroy-hails-spoty-success-after-individual-and-team-awards).
Crystal Palace
On May 17, 2025, Crystal Palace created history by winning the FA Cup for the first time in over a century—beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/17/crystal-palace-manchester-city-fa-cup-final-match-report). This achievement marked their first major trophy in 120 years—a moment that filled fans with pride and disbelief.
The match was characterized by unwavering determination. We had been close before, leading 1-0 against a top-tier opponent, yet doubts lingered. But this time, the team played with a swagger that perfectly balanced confidence and humility. The connection between players and supporters was palpable, especially during moments like Henderson’s penalty save—almost as thrilling as the match-winning goal by Eberechi Eze. The second-half pressure from City was relentless, but the Palace squad’s composure and grit saw us through to victory. When that final whistle blew, the tears and cheers created an electric atmosphere that I’ll never forget. Walking home in my Palace gear through Brixton, it felt like a boundless celebration that underscored how deeply this triumph meant to everyone involved.
Tottenham Hotspur
On May 21, 2025, Tottenham finally lifted a major trophy again after 17 years—this time winning the Europa League by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/21/europa-league-final-tottenham-manchester-united-match-report). As the final seconds ticked down in the San Mamés stadium, time slowed for fans like me, marinating in anticipation. This match symbolized decades of hope and perseverance, considering the long journey and investment spent on a club that often fell short.
The moment felt surreal and almost too good to be true. I put on noise-canceling headphones to try to process the victory, but nothing could prepare me for the eruption of joy when the final whistle blew. Hugging strangers, singing loudly, and watching videos of Johnson’s goal and Van de Ven’s fantastic clearance later, I realized that this trophy was more than just silverware—it was a testament to resilience. Though Spurs face challenges now, these memories will stay with us forever, fueling future hope.
Paris Saint-Germain
On May 31, 2025, PSG achieved their dream by winning the Champions League, crushing Inter 5-0 in a historic final at the Allianz Arena in Munich (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/31/psg-win-champions-league-for-first-time-with-record-5-0-final-hammering-of-inter). For a club founded 55 years ago with over 50 trophies, the wait for their first European Cup was immense—specifically, the challenge of conquering the Champions League since the Qatari takeover in 2011.
The victory brought a wave of relief and pride. The journey included wild moments, like the staggering loss at Barcelona (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/08/barcelona-psg-champions-league-match-report) and the semi-final comeback against Barcelona (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/06/champions-league-semi-final-inter-barcelona-match-report). The energy and emotion surged through the stands during the game, especially after the second and third goals, as fans grasped that a new chapter was unfolding. Reflecting on previous failures, notably the 2020 final lost to Bayern Munich (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/aug/23/bayern-munich-paris-saint-germain-psg-champions-league-final-match-report), this victory in a packed, sunny stadium felt perfect—proof that perseverance and faith can lead to greatness.
Bath Rugby
On June 14, 2025, Bath Rugby secured their first Premiership title in 29 years with a tight 23-21 victory over Leicester at the Allianz Stadium (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/14/premiership-rugby-bath-leicester-match-report). Having supported the club since the 1960s, I’ve seen many highs and lows—from childhood fandom to recent struggles. Our 2024 final loss to Northampton while a man down was tough, but this year, top of the league all season, we finally crossed the finish line.
The match was nerve-wracking—a game where confidence and anxiety intertwined. Despite your typical 'never in doubt' bravado, it really felt like we had just squeaked through. The next day, Bath led a jubilant open-top bus parade, with city residents filling the streets—a testament to how deeply this team and its loyal fans are woven into the fabric of the community. Supporting Bath at the Rec can be challenging, especially in rain or during less-than-stellar seasons, but this triumph proved that loyalty and passion truly pay off.
India Women’s Cricket Team
On November 2, 2025, India’s women’s cricket team achieved a historic milestone by winning the Women’s Cricket World Cup—defeating South Africa by 52 runs at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/02/india-south-africa-womens-cricket-world-cup-match-report). It was a final filled with nerves, high stakes, and an extraordinary journey from the group stages to this ultimate victory. The rain threatened to spoil the match, but we held on, hoping for a 50-over game.
I watched the game with my friends in the Bucket Hat Cult, the passionate fan group supporting Indian women’s cricket. We traveled together for the matches, and every moment—singing, dancing, chanting, then crying tears of joy—felt like history in the making. The iconic catch by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur in the final was breathtaking. This accomplishment is set to revolutionize women’s cricket in India—shifting the focus from marginalization to celebration. We finally hope that women’s sports are given the respect, support, and investment they deserve, with accessible tickets, broad promotion, and fair pay for players. This victory is not just a win; it’s a new beginning for Indian women’s cricket (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/02/india-south-africa-womens-cricket-world-cup-match-report).
