Calling all the heroes.
Posted on June 8th, 2009 | 82 Comments |
They’re shooting up the town, boys.
No, this isn’t some sentimental reflection on It Bites’ hit of the ’80’s. I’m referring to those heroes in black and white. Which ones, I hear you ask. They seem to be in very short supply of late.
So what makes someone a hero anyway? Well I could be here all night discussing the reasons why some people idolise others. As far as Newcastle United heroes go, they’re effectively famous and idolised as soon as they pull on that black and white shirt for the first time (but for a few minor exceptions). What they do on and off the pitch after that will go along way to deciding whether they remain heroes or not. So why do some players seem to care more than others about their place in the world as a modern day hero to the army of Mags?
As our very own heroes, we should be proud of them. How long has it been since we’ve been proud of the collective that steps across that white line every game? I genuinely love good football and I appreciate great players. However, I have always admired guts over glamour. Clearly, if professional football was all about trying hard, then there would be thousands of supporters clamouring for a game at the town every weekend. Our fans have long had more desire than the players. But within reason, having watched many different teams, styles and characters at the town since the late ’80s, I know what makes me most proud.
Quite honestly, I think we’ve been blessed with talent – left wingers like Sheedy, Sellars, Ginola and Robert. They are perhaps a luxury you can sometimes afford to be carried by the rest. But what this club needs to invest in, are players, regardless of what went before, that seek an immediate affiliation with the club and fans. Players that care from day one and don’t stop caring until it’s time to go. Older posters will have their own lists but for me we need characters and players that are decent and honest above all else (wishful thinking in today’s game/world?). Players who play not just for the money but for the club and for the fans. Men who lay their bodies on the line and put their head where it hurts. Players who will run themselves into the ground and will fight until they drop for the cause.
Some are more naturally gifted than others but step forward – David Kelly, Rob Lee, Big Les, Killer, Darren Peacock, Gavin Peacock, Bez, Bracewell, Venison, Barton, Speed, Dabizas, Nobby – to name but a few from recent years. That’s leaving aside our ‘local heroes’ because we all know how much we adore them!
We need sleeves with hearts on them. The new breed are out there, we just need to find them, as soon as they decide whose job it is to find them! And who better to recognise potential heroes than one of the greatest of them all? We can but hope.
NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag
bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.
nice article. in the championship all teams have players like these and there no diving pansies like drobga and ronaldo in the ccc. good honest players.