Newcastle United welcomed Kevin Keegan to the club as manager in January 2008, replacing Sam Allardyce at St James’ Park.
But while supporters await Keegan’s return to attacking football, a childhood Newcastle supporter who grew up watching the famous entertainers team a decade ago finds things much more difficult.
Despite playing the full 90 minutes in Keegan’s first match as manager – just his second start in the Premier League that season – Shola Ameobi had injury problems to contend with that he could not shake off.
A Newcastle United homecoming for Kevin Keegan came at the wrong time for Shola Ameobi
“I was back for his first match – a 0-0 draw away to Bolton,” Ameobi said Four four two. “At least I shouldn’t have played, because I was still a week away from full fitness, but of course nobody wants to miss the first game of what we all hoped would be a new era.
Although Kev was my childhood hero, we never really saw eye to eye. It was probably the one time I felt left out. After the height of the Sir Bobby years, then playing some of my best football under Glenn Roeder, it was an uneasy time for me.”
With playing time limited and fitness issues still plaguing him, the Newcastle striker left for Stoke in the Championship for the final part of their successful 2007/08 promotion season. Signing on a short-term loan deal, Ameobi hoped he could rediscover his form – unfortunately, he failed to score in just six games.
“I loved my job with Stoke but only managed half a dozen games due to a hamstring problem, so a permanent move was never in the cards,” added Ameobi. “A lot of fans claimed it was because Stoke played in Sunderland colours, but it was all about fitness.
“I actually got a new lease of life at Newcastle under Chris Hughton, even though I was having problems with my hip.”
