Steve Diamond hailed his Newcastle Falcons heroes as the Gallagher Premiership underdogs ended their 15-year, 24-game losing streak against Saracens.

The 17-12 triumph in front of a season-high Kingston Park crowd will live long in the memory, with a delighted director of rugby lavishing praise on his warriors.

“They were outstanding – every single one of them,” said Diamond, who took time to credit the Falcons’ faithful for turning up in numbers for the ‘Big Night Oot’.

“The crowd were sensational. There were just over 6,000 in here but it sounded like double that, and the players fronted up big time.

“We’ve really turned the corner now, and I’m delighted for the players because we’ve given them a simple game plan and they’ve delivered it magnificently. Alan Dickens on the coaching side has had a massive impact, everyone is buying into it and you could see how much it means to everyone.”

Confounding the sceptics who had forecast a big away win, the Falcons boss said: “The pre-match predictor had us losing by 27 but we just ignore all the outside noise, and I thought we thoroughly deserved that against a good Sarries side.

“There’s obviously also been a lot of chat in the media and around the place this week following the reports that the club is up for sale.

“Semore Kurdi has been and remains to this day a magnificent owner, who has kept this club alive through some very difficult times. He’s a lovely man who genuinely has the best interests of the club at heart, and rather than being a Wasps, a Worcester or a London Irish he’s just looking to find an investor who can take us forward.

“A performance like tonight can’t hurt because this is a tremendous club which is primed for investment. We run a lean operation, the people here really care about the place and there’s massive growth potential for someone to come in and take it by the scruff of the neck.

“It’s an exciting time to think what might be possible, and Callum Chick spoke brilliantly to the players in the changing room before the game. Echoing something I’d said to them earlier in the week, it was basically a case of saying this is our chance to put the club in the shop window and show people what we’re all about.

“Well, we certainly did that!”

Saluting a massive shift from his men, Diamond added: “We had props playing 75 to 80 minutes, so it was like rugby used to be!

“Our discipline was good for the most part, we fronted up physically and scored a couple of good tries against a top team. We defended the driving lineout well, which was big for us, and that’s the sign of a group who are playing well together.

“I know Brett Connon missed a sitter but he controlled the game well and did nail a conversion from the touchline, so I’m delighted for him. Callum Chick and Jamie Blamire were both big tonight, Adam Radwan scored with his first touch and then saved one at the other end, and to a man I thought we were great.

“We’re still down there in the fight – nobody here is thinking we’ve cracked the case or anything – but we’ve won five of our last six now and the confidence in the building is huge.

“I thought the atmosphere was brilliant, and well done to all the fans who came along and made so much noise. That was back to the Kingston Park I used to hate coming to when I was an away coach, and long may it continue!”