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Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson are among the illustrious names to pay tribute to Newcastle 's tea lady as she retires after 49 years loyal service.

She’s brewed up for every Toon star from Alan Shearer to Jackie Milburn but after nearly half a century she's poured out her last cup, report the Evening Chronicle.

Kath Cassidy first got involved at St James' Park after being asked to help a friend, who worked at the ground, 49 years ago and earlier this season she poured her last cup of tea for the Magpies.

And a number of huge names from across football have come together to pay tribute

Wenger wrote: "Dear Kath. I understand you are retiring after more than 50 years' service to Newcastle United.

(Image: Chronicle Live)

"On behalf of everyone at Arsenal, we send you our best wishes for your retirement. Your loyalty and commitment is absolutely outstanding and is rightly being acknowledged by many in football.

"Here's to your health and happiness."

Ferguson added: "Enjoy your retirement Kath. Serving tea to the media cannot be an easy job so you well and truly deserve a long and happy retirement!"

Club legend Shearer said: "Thanks, Kath. Everyone knows that two things make a football club - the fans and the tea lady - and we had the best of both.

(Image: Chronicle Live)

"Always there with a kind word and friendly smile, it won't be the same without you. Good luck in your retirement."

The great grandmother was forced to retire after suffering a stroke and a heart attack but said if she had her chance she wouldn’t hesitate to bolt back up to the stadium.

She said: “A neighbour had nobody to help her and she asked me to come up and give her a hand, I went for one day but I never stopped.

“It’s been lovely, it’s been like a family. It’s been the nicest life. If I could do it all over again, I would.”

(Image: Chronicle Live)

Before taking up her role Kath worked in a number of jobs, including in a court, as well as raising her six children.

Despite the length of her service she has sat in the stands just a handful of times but on Sunday Kath and her family are set to be guests of honour for the club’s clash with Norwich City.

Kath’s last game serving the tea was against Southampton at home last season and despite a return in the first week’s of the new season she was advised to stand down due to health grounds.

(Image: Chronicle Live)

On Sunday she and her family will be club guests and as her son Terry revealed they would mark her retirement in an executive box she was left speechless.

The 88-year-old, of Wallsend, has a living room filled with pictures of Alan Shearer, Jackie Milburn, Sir Bobby Robson and even former prime minister Tony Blair.

But the club stalwart will always have a special place in her heart for Kevin Keegan and for Alan Pardew.

She added: “Kevin Keegan was a real favourite, he was as good as gold.

“He always had two sugars and he made everyone happy. I think if Kevin was still there we would have all been happy.

(Image: Chronicle Live)

“Alan Pardew was a gentlemen too. I think he was the perfect manager for Newcastle, the fans were disgraceful to him.

“When they were playing abroad he sent me silk flowers because I was ill.”

It’s testament to her character that Kath has nothing bad to say about the managers she has served under, making her one of the club’s longest serving members of staff.

But she said owner Mike Ashley is one of the only members of staff that has never spoken to her during her service at the club.

Along with knowing every manager’s tea order, Sir Bobby Robson and Ruud Gullit preferred coffee, Kath made sure their needs were always met providing cakes, chocolates, soft mints, sweets and chewing gum.