Rob Elliot has sent a brilliant heartfelt message to Newcastle fans after it was announced by the club yesterday that his NINE-year stint on Tyneside has come to an end.
The Irish international’s contract will not be extended beyond this month and he has since released a parting statement, thanking the supporters and expressing his love for the club and the area after almost a decade in the North-East.
Here’s the emotional message the 34-year-old posted on Twitter last night:
“I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of myself and my family to everyone connected to Newcastle United,”
“The area has become our home, we have raised our three children here and they will always be Geordies, which is something that makes us feel so proud.
“A massive thank you to everyone at the club, both past and present, for helping me over the last nine years. It truly has been an amazing experience.
“I can only wish the great bunch of lads and staff all the best with finishing the season strong and beating expectations.
“There have been highs and lows, but what has always been there is the staff behind the scenes who make the club such a great place and make it what it is.
“From my Premier League debut to international football, last minute winners in Europe and winning Player of the Year, these are things I wouldn’t have dreamed would have been possible when I was a kid, especially at a club like this.
“But to the people and the fans who made me feel a part of the club and the area is something that means most to myself and my family.
“So all I can say is thank you. I really hope our paths cross again one day.
“Thank you.
“HOWAY THE LADS.”
Elliot has done a lot of good work for local charities in the community while playing here, and has often spoken highly of the club which has granted him a good rapport with the fans.
Many Mags believe he has never let the club down when he has been called upon across Championship, Premier League and Europa League campaigns, while it’s also often forgotten that he received our player of the season award for 2015/16, with him being the one standout player in that tragic relegation season!
That said, despite joining the club from Charlton in 9 years ago in 2011, he has only made a just 68 appearances in all competitions during that time, becoming a rarely-seen back up option at best after slipping below Dubravka, Darlow and Woodman in the pecking order more recently.
From a game time perspective, he should have really left the club several years ago when Rafa Benitez signed Matz Sels and put faith in Karl Darlow during that year in the Championship.
Elliot has recently admitted that he was naive to stay at the club that year and revealed at the time that he was willing to stick around and fight for his place – something he has not managed to achieve since December 2017.
We wish Rob Elliot the best wherever he ends up next, and he would still make a cracking goalkeeper for a club lower down the football pyramid.
With Sunderland losing their man between the sticks Jon McLaughlin to Rangers yesterday and Elliot appearing content with staying in the North East, he wouldn’t consider a free agent move to our Wearside rivals, would he?
