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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Brownson

Meet the nana who went viral for celebrating Newcastle United's win over Tottenham at St James' Park

A County Durham nana has gone viral on social media for her heart-warming celebration at St James Park during Sunday's game against Tottenham.

Heather Miller couldn't contain her excitement when Newcastle United went five up after just 21 minutes of the first half. Decked head-to-toe in black and white, the 61-year-old grabbed a flag and ran through the Milburn stand in a jubilant display that brought fellow supporters to their feet to cheer her on.

The moment was captured by Sky Sports and quickly went viral on social media, with many supporters calling the grandmother-of-six a "legend" and praising her passion. Now season ticket holder Heather has spoken to Chronicle Live about the moment that touched Geordie's hearts.

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"I'm mad anyway and when we scored I saw the flag, picked it up and ran up and down the Milburn stand," Heather said.

"I didn't run very far because I can't but when I ran back everybody was just stood up. It was just amazing.

"I then saw a video of it had 350K on Twitter views this morning and my grandchildren in Northhampton have been tweeting and texting me saying, 'Omg Kieran Trippier and Jamie Redknapp talking about you nan!'

"I'm a bit embarrassed and shocked by the reaction I've had to it. I didn't do it for any reason!

"Now people are saying, 'give her a life-long season ticket.' I'm 61 and I won't last that long so if they wanted to give me one I'd be so happy!"

Heather spent years managing pubs and hotels across the UK before retiring and moving back home to Trimdon around five years ago. She is a carer for her disabled son Gary and attends the matches with him and his partner, Scott, who is partially sighted, and her husband, Richard, with the family sitting in the Milburn stand at every home game.

Heather Miller with her husband Richard and son Gary at an event where they met Alan Shearer. (Heather Miller)

Heather said: "There are a lot of disabled people sit in the Milburn stand and I don't think they get the recognition because the cameras are always up above so when I saw that on the TV, I thought 'my gosh!'

"Whether we are winning or losing it's all about the team on the pitch and the team on the stands. I said, 'If we score again I will run the opposite way,' so I did!

"Everyone was going mad, they were putting their hands out for me to hit them, so I thought, 'go on then!"

"My granddaughter in Northampton was watching the match on TV and went 'That's my nanny with the flag!' and started singing 'Toon Toon Black and White Army.'"

Heather Miller running through the Milburn stand at St James' Park. (Screengrab of Sky Sports)

Heather joked that if the club is looking for half-time entertainment she would be happy to become a "new Geordie dancer" and perform at the side of the pitch to get the crowd going. And in the meantime, she is getting ready to cheer on United in style when they take on Southampton.

She said: "I'm going to try and twerk next week!"

Away from St James, Heather is doing a 100-mile walk over the whole month of May for Cancer Research. She is hoping that Newcastle United players will sign her charity T-shirt and has asked the club for an Almiron shirt to wear during the challenge. To donate to the fundraiser click here.

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