I like Sam Fender. Everything about him – how he represents the region, the fact he’s a self-made singer songwriter doing well in a manufactured world, the person he comes over as and, of course, his music.
One of the abiding memories of the League Cup final win for me is “Seventeen Going Under” being played while the fans sang along and the players hoisted the trophy.
I’ll tell you who doesn’t like Sam Fender – the mackems.
He receives constant stick about the use of Wor Flags and wearing NUFC gear on stage, but the most irritating thing is an infamous mackem myth that Fender didn’t care about Newcastle United pre-fame and just uses the connection to promote himself with Geordies.
This has been denied by friends online, with pictures of a younger Sam in very old kits circulated, but this daft theory was put to bed for me when he appeared in a segment on the BBC’s Football Focus a few years back.
Fender was on to talk about Newcastle United (of course) and did so very well, but they surprised him by bringing out Alan Shearer to present the award for his album hitting number one. His reaction to Shearer appearing could not be faked. Some people make a good living by deceit in crime and showbusiness, but Sam Fender would need to be acting to Marlon Brando levels to pull off the sheer dumbfounded joy at United’s greatest number nine appearing in his studio. Any mackem perpetrating the silly little rumour should be pointed at this clip.
If you’re wondering where this is going (I am), I thought of this moment recently with Bruno Guimaraes, when assessing the fallout of his terrible, horrible move to Arsenal of all people. There’s currently a debate raging as to whether our erstwhile captain is a rat of Isak standing or simply a player whose ambition outstrips the position the club is in (both financially and in a football sense). Among the recriminations there have been accusations that Bruno’s very demonstrative passion for the club, fans and area amounts to little more than posturing, a cynical performance to gain status with the fans before the knife was inevitably plunged in.
I’m not having that.
It takes a particular kind of person to fit the profile at Newcastle United. The players are regional heroes from day one and having a low key existence is pretty unfeasible. This is no place for introverts who may wilt in ”the goldfish bowl” of Tyneside, but those that embrace the adoration can fall in love with the place. I can’t remember anyone who did this as completely as Bruno Guimaraes and his family. Like Sam Fender, there’s evidence out there. Seek out the interview with him walking his dogs round Bolam Lake and you’ll see the effervescence of both Bruno and Mrs G as to how well they’ve been received in Newcastle (I’m not sure they’ll enjoy living in London). Watch any footage of him talking about the fans and tell me it’s performative – sometimes, just sometimes, people are being genuine. The fact that every other leaver has posted self-indulgent AI-written statements whereas Bruno fronted up and made a video saying goodbye gained him points in my book.
Of course, there are negatives here. As the captain of Newcastle, it was hurtful that Bruno chose to hire Kia Joorabchian, super agent, to help get the move to Arsenal, A Newcastle side badly in need of leadership and experience now faces a late summer challenge to reboot itself and there’s no doubt this has blotted his copybook. If Bruno Guimaraes gets booed during the match with Arsenal at SJP (haven’t checked) it’s a fair reaction and possibly more likely to do its job than with your average player. There’s the opportunity for him to sour things further should he show the club any disrespect in these fixtures (doubtful) or start kissing the Arsenal badge a couple of weeks in.
However, I have to say this is different to the behaviour of some of his peers. Isak took down our entire summer by striking to force a move (although some at the club are far from blameless). Tonali never really looked like he wanted to be here and literally went missing a couple of times during the season run in. Gordon’s move was generally well-received as understandable and properly done but I’d have liked it if he’d have helped us get into Europe in that final chunk of the season first.
Bruno, by contrast, has only his approach to leaving and his horrific destination against him. Of all of those departing, he was the only one who can really say he did a job in his final year at United, with the terrible results in his injury absence a huge factor in our lowly finish.
I had a scenario in my head, prior to the extensive change of recent weeks, where Newcastle are at home to Bournemouth in the third game of the season, days after the transfer window shuts. The opening two games have brought defeat to Liverpool and Spurs and a stinking draw has done for us in the League Cup. A 1-0 lead against Bournemouth is squandered and Bruno collapses on the turf as Rayan slides a 94th minute winner past the helpless Nick Pope. Part of me would feel guilty that he’s stuck with us through this cross whereas his talents deserved a bigger stage.
As it is I have more optimism about the season ahead, and had hoped an outcome could be reached where Bruno agreed to steady the ship if a promise was made to sell for a reasonable price to clubs of a certain stature, preferably outside of England. This was not to be and as I’ve said, this tarnishes the legacy somewhat. But surely we can be big enough to recognise someone who joined a side looking doomed and won a relegation battle, before giving his all for four years including Champions League adventures and that elusive trophy?
As the captain on the day (and the one stood at the front) I count Bruno as the one that lifted the first trophy I saw Newcastle United win. I always wondered who that man would be and, despite the bad taste in the mouth of recent weeks, I know it was a good one.
Bruno Guimaraes, I hope you win absolutely nothing and the years ahead see a remarkable decline in Arsenal’s fortune. As and when that happens, I hope you’d be welcomed home. Now get ready for a torrid time on 21st November (I did look it up).
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