By Martin Walker
Ross Turnbull became the first-ever Newtonian to pick up a European Cup medal on Saturday night as Chelsea won the Champions League in a dramatic final.
The Londoners clinched a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich in Germany to claim their first Champions League title.
Aycliffe watched on as Turnbull, an unused substitute goalkeeper, celebrated with his team-mates when match-winner Didier Drogba scored the edge-of-your-seat spot-kick, after heading a late normal-time equaliser to take the game to extra-time.
It completes a remarkable season for former Aycliffe youth team star Turnbull, who joined Chelsea from Middlesbrough in 2009.
The 27-year-old, who is seventh from the right at the back row of the above picture, has finished the 2011-12 season with both an FA Cup and Champions League winners’ medal.
Aycliffe FC chairman Gary Farley said: “We’re absolutely thrilled for Ross and his family, it’s a fantastic achievement by Chelsea and we’re proud to see an Aycliffe lad win two of the biggest club competition trophies in football.”
Turnbull, who writes a regular blog on Aycliffe Today, will be talking to us in due course – and we’re hoping to get pictures of him with his medals later next week.
