NUFC Blog’s Player of the Season is…

Posted on May 28th, 2012 | 43 Comments |

Fabricio Coloccini: NUFC Blog's Player of the Season.
Another award for el Capitán - This time it's the big one!
Well, 1485 of you have voted, and we can finally declare that the NUFC Blog readers’ “Player of the Season” is (drumroll):

Fabricio Coloccini!

Second in our 2010 vote, and third in 2011, it’s a case of third time lucky for the curly locked Capitán Colo after beating second placed Tim Krul and third placed Yohan Cabaye convincingly to finally clinch the greatest honour a Newcastle United player can receive. His excellent defensive performances apart, perhaps it was his leadership role this season, a season which saw Newcastle United make it into the Europa League for the first time since 2006/7, which has finally clinched it for him this time?

Though undoubtedly small beer now he has scooped this, the ultimate award, our captain was also the only Newcastle United’s only player to make the Professional Footballers’ Association Premiership “Team of the Year” for his key role in what has been a very good season for the Magpies overall.

Though he started the season alongside Steven Taylor, Taylor’s usual early / mid season serious injury meant he spent most of the rest of the season alongside “Iron” Mike Williamson in the heart of the Magpies’ defence. Williamson himself has spoken in praise of his defensive partner, contrasting his own play with that of his captain.

Starting on Colocinni’s intincts to run out with the ball, the Iron man commented:

“Colo does it and he is probably one of the calmest players I have ever played with in terms of coming out with the ball and his vision and his passing ability – he has got a lot in his armoury. Looking at players like David Luiz and people who try to come out, sometimes it can cause problems.

“But for me, I am just a straightforward English defender. I try to head it, kick it, keep clean sheets and let others play.”

Things haven’t always been quite so easy for Coloccini though. Like his ex team mate, ex player of the year winner and fellow Premiership team of the season member, José Enrique, Coloccini had a difficult start to life in the Premiership. This difficult start even included relegation after his first season at the club, however, both have long since emerged to become two of the division’s finest defenders.

On his initial difficulties, Coloccini had this to say:

“My first season here was a bit difficult as I knew very little about their football. However, bit by bit I picked up how things were done and started to become part of it. On top of that I knew very little English, and then I had to understand the northern accent! But I’m used to it at this stage, so much so that when I go to London I find it easy to understand people. That said, I think I can now call myself a northerner!”

On taking over from the departed Kevin Nolan last season as captain, he added:

“That’s a real honour and something I’m proud of. Having this privilege is a little complicated though, first because I’m a foreigner, and secondly because my English still isn’t perfect. That’s why I view it as a gift to be enjoyed to the full. I try to fulfil my captain’s duties as best I can to drive the team on.”

On staying with the club after what was a somewhat disappointing first season for the £10 million defender which saw the Magpies relegated, the permed one then added:

“I felt responsible for the club being in the second division and wanted to help get them out of there. It’s so nice when you can make amends for that kind of blemish on your CV.”

Well he’s certainly come a long way since those days, so we say congratulations on on our latest player of the season, Julio Geordio Fabricio Coloccini – A footballer and a gentleman!

NUFC Blog Player of the Season Roll of Honour
Season Name Votes (Total) %
2011/12 Fabricio Coloccini 520 (1485) 35%
2010/11 Joey Barton 525 (1696) 31%
2009/10 José Enrique 529 (1866) 28%

Poll

NUFCBlog Author: workyticket workyticket has written 1096 articles on this blog.

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Posted on by workyticket in category: Fabricio Coloccini and Interviews and Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan and Mike Williamson and NUFC 'Blog and Player Reviews / player ratings and Steven Taylor and Tim Krul and Workyticket and Yohan Cabaye , with tags:
Comment on this post

43 Responses

  2. Here here,

    Fabricio Coloccini – A proper Captain, a class footballer, a class act, a classy guy & a class apart!

    Argentooner, Argentooner!

  4. I remember the relief when him & Krul signed new deals…it was immense. He could go on to become a toon legend if he continues to lead & perform like he has played this season gone.

  5. Hopefully unlike the previous winners he stays or this poll could be a jinx

  6. Paulj652 says:
    May 28, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    “Hopefully unlike the previous winners he stays or this poll could be a jinx”

    Thankfully, Paul, nearly all the other similar polls voted for Enrique and Barton at the time too, so I think we’re off the hook there ;-)

  8. Congratulations captain colo. Great first season as captain and surely can only get better.

  9. It would be nice to get someone good beside him to make him look even better, he would get his game for anyone in the premier league. Well done coll, i thought there were others who deserve a mention like krul, cabaye, tiote, ba and cisse.

  12. Sigurdsson signing for Swansea for 6.8m. Brilliant bit if business, shame that its not for the toon.

  13. sammy,
    they had 1st refusal & he wants to go there, fair enough i say.
    He’s no better than what we have in midfield.

  17. CLiNT FLiCK says:

    “He’s no better than what we have in midfield”

    18 apps and 7 goals CF

    Nee feckin midfielder in this squad managed more than that, even with a full season !!!

  18. GS says:

    “Do you think Rodgers promised to stay?”

    Rodgers was interviewed after the end of the season ans confirmed he was due to attend a four day session with the Spanish National Squad in their build up to Euro 2012.

    Pardwho fecks off to do a fashion show in Monte Carlo !

  19. AndyMac says:
    May 29, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    “Pardwho fecks off to do a fashion show in Monte Carlo !”

    Andy, he was on a “fact finding mission” with the Marussia racing team, formerly Virgin Racing. The racing director of the team, Graeme Lowdon, is a Toon fan apparently. The Silver Supremo told Newcastle United’s propaganda arm, the Mirror Group:

    “I’m taking in Marussia’s set-up, seeing if there is anything in there for me, how they monitor the performance of the car is how we monitor the performance of the team. Of course, the sports are completely different, but there are a lot of parallels.”

    I don’t know what he could learn from Marussia though. Both as Virgin and Marussia they have been one of the least competitive teams ever and haven’t won a single point in a race yet. When he says he’s seeing if there’s “anything in there for me,” knowing Pardew, he’s probably referring to champagne, minge and the jet-set lifestyle in general.

  20. Whats up with this guy, can he not just admit to having responded to an invitation to watch a bit of car racing.
    Hell if you have to lie about something like that, what can we expect from something more sereious?
    Obviously he’s been told to fcuk off and let Ashley and Carr take care of the business of signing and selling.
    Does anyone get the feeling , that Carr may in fact fill the role as the executive, between Ashley and AP, whatever it’s called?

  21. One major problem with NUFC is it’s present lack of revenue from fans outside the UK and Ireland.
    Comparing our earnings with those of Man. U. it becomes apparent, we are way behind rhe curve, when it comes to non UK earnings.
    With a fan base of 659 million.
    With the Mid East and and Africa accounting for 173m.
    Asia Pacific, another 325 m.
    And China with 108m
    Resulting in UK membership @ one percent or less.
    Staggering figures!
    Think of the revenue for shirts alone ?
    How Come ?
    Cause they got an office with 80 people based in London, who’s primary concern is, persuing a strategy of seeking regional sponsorship deals, throughout the world.
    That and teaming up with local media groups and telecoms,that can help grow it’s reach.
    Which has fueled commercial revenues to more than $150m.
    Which in turn, makes any NUFC business plan look like it was conceived by a bunch of amatures.
    On the other hand, it proves that any club, persuing a likeminded strategy, does’nt have to have that much of a local fan base, being Man. U,s, home based fans represent less than one percent of their world total.
    Is there a lesson to be learned here ?

  22. Of course the fact they are such a draw to worldwide fans (Man. U.) is the fact they are and have been a successful side over the years.
    That and the fact they travel to those areas designated as being ripe for recruiting fans in the off seasons.
    Whereas NUFC have visited the US, sure a country that has an enormous sports apparel sales history, but is saturated with at least five major pro.sports, from baseball to basketball, not to mention, college teams.
    All competing for sales.
    Time our management woke up and did a tour or played in one of the Micky Mouse competitions, that take place in Asia each off season, plus it would’nt hurt to sign a decent asian player, the rewards could be worthwhile and why are we not already doing so, is a mystery ?
    Aint rocket science !

  24. chuck says:

    “Time our management woke up and did a tour or played in one of the Micky Mouse competitions, that take place in Asia each off season, plus it would’nt hurt to sign a decent asian player, the rewards could be worthwhile and why are we not already doing so, is a mystery ?”

    Not sure Fatman and Grandpa Munster care too much about “worldwide” appeal Chuck cos they’re not too many SD outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or HK !

    However the “Time our management wakes up” is probably about 3.30ish judging by Llambias’s deathly white pallor.

  25. chuck says:

    “Have we signed Jr. Hoilett yet ?”

    No, try looking outside the box Chuck :roll:

  26. AndyMac says:
    May 29, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    “Not sure Fatman and Grandpa Munster care too much about “worldwide” appeal Chuck cos they’re not too many SD outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or HK !”

    Oh yes they do, Andy, very much so as Ashley wants to open Sports Direct shops in places like that.

  27. chuck says:
    May 29, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    “One major problem with NUFC is it’s present lack of revenue from fans outside the UK and Ireland.”

    It’s a complex issue, Chuck. Whilst a Premiership club nowadays should always be looking to grow it’s fanbase overseas, it usually does this by achievement on the pitch. However, Newcastle United’s revenue problems start at home.

    It’s sponsorship deals are lousy for a club like Newcastle United as it is at the moment, never mind as some kind of worldwide superclub. Whilst the club’s wages to turnover, profits from player trading and media revenue have improved markedly, it’s commercial revenue has almost halved under Ashley. Initially this could have been blamed on relegation, but now it’s the involvement of Sports Direct who pay nothing for their extensive publicity generated through the club, there’s hardly any room for any other sponsors, and no quality brands (which is where the money is) would want to be associated with such a tacky brand in public anyway, they would want to be associated with NUFC. The shirt sponsorship has, of course, been taken over by Virgin, but that is still dirt cheap compared with similar clubs and it has special reasons because it took over the previous sponsor which has a very close connection, and investment, the Tyneside region. It was local politics.

    Of course, Ashley and his owl headed cipher keep very quiet about this in their propaganda for obvious reasons. Shepherd had them well and truly beat here. Not many fans seem to remember, but it was Shepherd who brought Shearer to the club when Hall was still chairman. Big Al may have all the charisma of a piece of two by four, but he more than paid for himself in terms of raising the club’s profile overseas. Michael Owen of course, didn’t work out quite so well. I recall that Shepherd built up a close relationship with Hong Kong United out in the far east, I wonder what happened to that?

    You made some good points about Manchester United and their setup though, Chuck.

  28. I suppose the ‘don’t buy from the club’ protests since kk(gallow)gate isn’t in the slightest
    to blame for ‘low revenues’ at the club?

  29. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    May 29, 2012 at 8:38 pm

    “I suppose the ‘don’t buy from the club’ protests since kk(gallow)gate isn’t in the slightest
    to blame for ‘low revenues’ at the club?”

    Matchday revenue when Fat Freddy left – £33.6 million.
    Matchday revenue in last accounts – £24.3 million

    Commercial revenue when Fat Freddy left – £27.6 million
    Commercial revenue in last accounts – £15.8 million

    I wouldn’t put the lower matchday figures all down to antipathy towards Ashley though, he outsourced many of the club’s previous activities such as catering, turnstyle and stewarding (he outsourced that bit to the Gestapo) etc. The amount of people employed by Newcastle United is just a fraction of what it used to be.

    At least he didn’t outsource Kath the 85 year old award winning Tea Lady though.

  30. workyticket says:

    “Not sure Fatman and Grandpa Munster care too much about “worldwide” appeal Chuck cos they’re not too many SD outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or HK !”

    “Oh yes they do, Andy, very much so as Ashley wants to open Sports Direct shops in places like that”

    They may WANT to do that WT but wanting and doing are two entirely different things. My point is there’s no market out in the Far East right now for SD. So until they start their “global domination – plan d” there aint a lot of point in creating a demand for a brand when there’s nothing to back it up. Besides which the Far East is renowned for tacky, cut price sportswear, pretty sure Fatman wouldnt want to take them on in a battle for Chief Tackmeister

  31. AndyMac says:
    May 29, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    “They may WANT to do that WT but wanting and doing are two entirely different things. My point is there’s no market out in the Far East right now for SD.”

    Andy,

    Here’s one example from my Ashley database (below). I divven’t just write stuff off the top of my heed y’knaa ;-)

    “SPORTS Direct billionaire Mike Ashley is expanding his empire into China under a deal announced to sell the company’s brands in the Far East.

    “The firm has agreed a strategic alliance with Shenzhen-based ITAT Group which will see brands such as Slazenger, Dunlop, Karrimor and Lonsdale sold at the Chinese firm’s stores.

    “The deal will see Sports Direct brands sold in a “store-within-a-store” concept at ITAT’s 120 Super Club outlets.

    “Sports Direct, which owns the Sports World and Lillywhites retail chains, is investing £20m to re-fit the branches and to support running costs.”

    http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1035320_ashley_looks_east

    Incidentally Andy, when I was in Thailand once, I was hanging out with some of the locals, and I wanted to find out where they thought the best local Thai restaurant was. They took me to the Thai resturant in the local TESCO!

  32. http://www.football-marketing.com/2010/12/13/footballs-most-expensive-shirt-sponsorship-deals/

    “The global reach of the English Premier League makes it a very attractive prospect for the world’s top sports merchandise manufacturers and, in turn, kit contracts are becoming an ever-more relevant source of income for the clubs,” Andrew Walsh, Head of International Affairs at SPORT+MARKT, said.

    “It’s not only about how many shirts you can sell, but about generating brand interest and loyalty and taking advantage of media exposure. Refinancing is also a major aspect – beyond simply supplying equipment, brands are looking to expand licensing agreements with the top clubs across the merchandising spectrum.”

    The trend of growth that has allowed the kit supply contract market to grow by 48% in Europe’s top leagues since 2005 looks set to continue.

    Walsh added: “What we’re also seeing now is that more up-and-coming manufacturers are entering the market and laying down the gauntlet to the traditional giants adidas and Nike. There now 28 different equipment brands active in the ‘big five’ leagues. You only have to look at the scale of Liverpool’s new deal with Warrior (£25m per year, which kicks in next season), to gain a strong impression of where the market is going.”

    Not quite sure why we’re still scratching around looking for the odd few million here and there ? NRock’s original sponsorship ended this year yet Virgin have offered only £10m over two years and still no sign of the size of the Puma deal ?

    Hmmm £25m a season or £5m per season 8O

  33. Yknaaa that article was dayed 2008 but I take your point. Ironic that the Tatmeister is linking up with I TAT :lol:

  34. Not sure of the exact amount of Virgin’s sponsorship just as no one knows exactly what Puma are paying either although Luke Edwards told us in January that the shirt deal could be worth as much as £20m over two years. Still not quite Warrior Sports levels.

  35. Gameiro has been offered to newcastle, psg said he can leave as he is not a guarenteed starter ge also fell out with ancelloti. Do we need him anymore? I dont think he will be a guarenteed starter anymore if we keep all our players.

  36. worky,

    so, would you say there is some correlation between antipathy & less cash coming in?
    We need at least one east asian player, an american & price cuts on kit.
    Simple shopenomics, maximise your demographic.

  37. irishtoon says:
    May 29, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    “Gameiro has been offered to newcastle, psg said he can leave as he is not a guarenteed starter ge also fell out with ancelloti.”

    Wasn’t that just the Journal and the Northern Echo, Irish? Sounded like guff to me so far. One of ’em was saying it was his agent hawking him around and the other said it was the club. Words like “understood” were used as well, which is usually code for unsubstantiated gossip, or even just the contents of a hack’s imagination.

  38. CLiNT FLiCK says:
    May 29, 2012 at 10:49 pm

    worky,

    “so, would you say there is some correlation between antipathy & less cash coming in?”

    Well, Clint, the figures for matchday revenue are below, you can judge for yourself but remember, there may have been other factors such as the outsourcing I mentioned above or whatever. It’s certainly started to rise again after promotion.

    2005/6: 30.9million, 2006/7: 33.6 million, 2007/8: 32.4 million, 2008/9: 20.9 million, 2010/11: 24.3 million.

    Andy, yes, I did notice the “I-TAT” thing :-)

    “Besides which the Far East is renowned for tacky, cut price sportswear, pretty sure Fatman wouldnt want to take them on in a battle for Chief Tackmeister”

    In a sense, that is what Ashley does already, Andy. He has taken brands which were previously seen as fairly good quality such as Lonsdale, conned people by taking many of their products down to the same kind of quality as snide far eastern copies whilst still trading off the old quality name. This is reinforced by his old trick of fitting the 50/70% off tags in at the factory, making customers beleive they are buying a quality product at a much reduced price when it is actually completely and utterly false and dishonest.

  42. What are the chances of Swansea going down if Rodgers goes to Liverpool? Siigi Sigardson or whatever his name is will be pissed off. We should put in a bid especially since the press think our whole team is being transferred to Spurs and Man U :)