In a season that’s left large section of supporters feeling disillusioned and downbeat, there’s one man who never fails to lift our spirits – Allan Saint-Maximin.
This time it comes via his brilliant chat with the BBC, with the humble 23-year-old speaking openly about his decision to volunteer at local food banks.
Here’s what he’s had to say, revealing how he feels an innate responsibility to do his bit for those less fortunate:
“It’s really important for me [to volunteer at a food bank] because I know where I come from. I wasn’t born with money or a big car, I was born with nothing.
“Even if my parents were in a good situation they would always say ‘you have to go and get everything, even if I could give you money and nice things I won’t because you have to understand that life is difficult’.
“I know I have to take care of people sometimes. Even if I don’t give money I know I can give my time and I can stay with these people and talk a little bit. It’s important for me to remember where I’m from.”
The Frenchman quick feet, insane pace, skill and ability to beat a man is one thing, but what’s impressed me most about Allan is his care for the people and connection with the community – both on social media and in ‘real life’.
He’s not only got us off our seats in season that’s given us very little to shout about, but has embraced Newcastle as a club and a city.
For all the talk from France that he would be a handful and frustrating to watch for us fans, he’s proved to be anything but, with his ability to express himself on and off the pitch being refreshing to see from such a young man arriving into completely new surroundings. The way I see it, the only people he’s been a nightmare for are Premier League full-backs!
Martin Dubravka will win our ‘player of the season award’ and rightly so, but I dread to think how 2019/20 would’ve panned out without Saint-Maximin.
