Meet the NUFC fan backed by Shearer to pull off another FA Cup shock

It was a two-minute interview after the ‘biggest moment’ of his career that catapulted Connor Hall to the attention of Newcastle United fans.

The young striker was interviewed pitchside on BT Sport with a beer in hand after scoring in Chorley FC’s shock FA Cup victory over Derby County.

Hall was asked for his dream fourth-round draw, and there was no hesitation in his response.

He said: “Obviously one of the biggest teams in England, Newcastle United!

“I’m a Newcastle fan so I’d love to play against them, but we’ve got to hope they beat Arsenal this round.”

It was a response which quickly made Hall a social media sensation.

He told ChronicleLive: “First and foremost, I had about 1,000 more followers on Twitter just from Newcastle fans!

“I got a lot of messages to say I came across quite well, I tried to say we’re all over the moon.

“It’s one of the biggest moments in my career and I’m sure it was for a lot of the boys and the club.

“Moments like that, you have to live in it and thrive off it. It was a great day.”

The attention even led Hall to cheekily asking for a reply from Alan Shearer, admitting it would ‘mean the world’ to hear from the Magpies legend.

To his surprise, the 22-year-old heard back from the famous number nine within an hour.

Hall said: “It was amazing. I was there and thought while I’m in the limelight, I’m going to try it!”

Born and raised in Bracknell, Berkshire, Hall has his father Colin to thank for his black-and-white allegiance.

Connor and his brother Lewis – a talented teenager currently impressing at Chelsea – both followed their father’s example, and there was a memorable first visit to St James’ Park for the pair.

He explained: “My gran is a Sunderland supporter, and my grandfather is a Newcastle supporter.

“So when my dad was born, he had the choice and he picked Newcastle. It’s kind of followed down to me and my little brother Lewis.

“I used to go watch them play at Reading when they were in the Premier League.

“My first game at St James’ Park was actually when Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer had the fight on the pitch.

“That was my first ever game, my earliest memory which isn’t a great one obviously!”

Hall’s own journey in football started in Sunday League, and he was handed his first professional deal at Sheffield United by former Blades boss Nigel Adkins.

The teenage striker was shown the exit door by Chris Wilder a little over a year later, but insists his short stint at Bramall Lane was still a ‘good experience’.

He added: “There was one or two lads who always got to go up to train with the first team. To be honest I was too young, I wasn’t ready for it.”

Hall spent the next three seasons at Bolton Wanderers but made just one league appearance before being released last summer.

However, the striker has found a new home at National League North outfit Chorley FC following a brief stint at Woking.

Hall agreed a…