After a summer of big signings, a number of whom being new to the Premier League and English football as a whole, the Newcastle United social media team have done a lot to properly introduce the lads to the local culture and community.
New arrivals like Anthony Elanga and Nick Woltemade have been given ‘advice’ from locals in their announcement videos, and each has talked in depth about how much they love playing in front of the St James’ Park crowd.
But the club have smashed it out of the park with their latest effort: introducing an 89-year-old lifelong Toon fan to new signing Aaron Ramsdale, Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall at the training ground shortly after Ramsdale made his competitive debut in the Carabao Cup.
Here’s the full video, along with some of the best bits we’ve picked out from Janet’s meeting with the boss and Ramsdale:
Janet’s fond memories of St James’ Park and players
Immediately upon arriving at Darsley Park, you can hear the joy and excitement in Janet’s voice at just being at the training ground. “You know what? I’m just so happy! It’s fantastic isn’t it?”
“This is the most exciting day of me life, because you know what I mean? You know what keeps me going? Faith in football.”
Being a lifelong fan, Janet recalled plenty of fond memories following the lads and noted just a few of her favourite players throughout the years and in the current squad.
“I used to stand in the Gallowgate in the pouring rain and everything like that was really really good. So the weather’s not changed, but everybody made you feel welcome.”
“All those players from a long time ago, they were just so important to us you know. (Ginola) He was lovely. I tell you who was lovely, Gary Speed. There was so many that was good, but I would think it’s got to be Alan (Shearer).”
“I’d love to see Eddie (Howe) and Jason (Tindall) sometime. They’ve done such a good job haven’t they? And you know who’s brilliant for us, Livramento. And Lewis (Hall) is becoming canny, I might be 100 before he’s been really high up, but I might still be here might I?”
“You know in the olden days when I used to go, at halftime you could go in the Strawberry, have a drink, come back in and you weren’t locked out, atmosphere is still the same!”
Heartwarming scenes meeting Howe and Tindall
When we won the Carabao Cup back in March, Peter Drury summed up it perfectly when he said “Eddie Howe can walk on the river Tyne”, as the gaffer etched himself into history with the win.
And you can tell from Janet’s immediate reaction upon meeting Howe and Jason Tindall just how much having the pair manage the team means to the local community.
“Son I think you’re wonderful. I adore you, and you know, I was so worried when you had the bronchitis. I kept saying prayers and everything.”
Howe shows an equal amount of love to the Geordie faithful who have backed him for close to four years as manager, commenting “Well my boys are amazing, but they think the Newcastle people are amazing.”
Janet goes on further about how supporting Howe, Tindall and the lads keeps her spirits high as she battles stage four cancer. “But you and Jason are just magic, and I can’t bear anybody to criticise.”
“When we got to this cup final, I thought ‘I’m not going to say we might win because we might not.’ Then I hide between the door crack looking!”
“Eddie, I can’t tell you enough, I’ve had a load of operations and all sorts, but as soon as I get in the hospital I say ‘I need the football on!’.”
Even with the club facing some increased scrutiny and criticism over issues like ticketing and memberships, our devotion and connection to the North East community and Toon army is truly second to none.
