Robbie Elliott backs Newcastle to return to Europe
ON THE SADDLE ... former United defender Robbie Elliott at the launch of his charity bike ride.
IT’S almost five years since St James’s Park hosted a night of European football.
And a return to the continent seemed a long way off when Newcastle United were relegated three seasons ago.
Fast forward to the present day, and the club is sixth in the Premier League table with 13 games left to play.
One player who has experienced the highs of European football with Newcastle is Robbie Elliott, who yesterday launched his charitable foundation, and revealed plans to cycle 3,500 miles between the teams managed by Sir Bobby Robson, who guided United into the Champions League during his time in charge at St James’s Park.
Elliott admits Alan Pardew’s team have already exceeded many expectations, having been tipped to struggled in the wake of the departures last summer of influential trio Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique.
“I’d have to say that I’ve been surprised by Newcastle this season,” Elliott told the Gazette.
“Not in the sense of the quality of players there, that’s always been the case, but it’s just nice because they just seem to be playing as a team, and there’s a good fight in there.
“I think the worry was that by losing the likes of Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan last summer, we might not have that in there, but the players they’ve brought in have been fantastic.
“That was the thing in the summer – I didn’t know much about (Demba) Ba, I didn’t know much about (Yohan) Cabaye. So you were always hopeful that they were going to be able to perform, but they’ve done amazingly well.
“I think if Newcastle don’t make it into Europe this year, it’ll be a bit of a disappointment. If you’d have said that in the summer, I think you’d have been carted away.
“It’s been a fantastic season, and one we can only look forward to continuing.”
Sir Bobby brought Gosforth-born Elliott – who started his career at St James’s Park – back for a second stint at the club in 2001.
The European football he was involved in during his time playing under Robson has left an indelible impression on the 38-year-old, who also played for Bolton Wanderers, Leeds United, Hartlepool and Sunderland.
And Elliott – who now works for Nike, and is also the performance coach for US Soccer’s youth teams – is hopeful Pardew’s players can enjoy the same experience next season.
“The European nights are what memories are made of – they’re fantastic occasions,” added Elliott, who watches United with his children whenever his job allows.
“Hopefully, they’ll just carry on in there, and if they get into Europe, hopefully that will attract the better players as well. It can only be good for us.
“The manager’s certainly getting the best out of the players, and we look like a really good team. The goals Demba Ba have brought is something we weren’t expecting. It’s just been fantastic.
“I take the kids along whenever I’m in the country, and they love it. I watch as much sport as I can, whether it’s United or the (Newcastle) Falcons, but it’s certainly different watching to being involved.”
Next up for United – who were beaten 5-0 at White Hart Lane by in-form Tottenham Hotspur last weekend – are Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are expected to have a new manager appointed before they visit Tyneside.
“After last Saturday, I think you just go out and get the result in the next game,” he said. “I’m not being funny, but Tottenham are a fantastic side this year, and everything that went on with Harry (Redknapp), it was set up for a result like that.
“They haven’t won many games by big scorelines, and unfortunately it was us. But it’s one game, it’s gone, and if you look at the big picture, if you were told where we’d be now, we’d grab people’s hands off.
“We’re in a great position, we’re still fighting for fourth place, never mind just Europe, so it’s a great place to be at this moment.”
Meanwhile, Elliott and triathlete Phil Gray will cycle from Lisbon to Newcastle via Porto, Barcelona, Eindhoven, Ipswich and London, where he will visit Fulham and Wembley, in October.
The money raised will go towards the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which has raised more than £3.9m since 2008, and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
“I’ve lost family, friends and work colleagues to cancer, and the aim is to raise as much money as I can,” said Elliott.
“I owe Sir Bobby a lot – he was the manager who brought me back for my second spell at Newcastle. This is a bit of payback and a thankyou for him.”
For more information, log on to www.bikeforbobby.com.
Twitter: @milesstarforth
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