Takes full time job with the 'Youth Academy'

Good news

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Answers

does that mean some long awaited developments in this area?

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

I would like to think so Pete, but doubt it.
They seem to call the Youth Development Programme "The Academy" these days, even though they have no dedicated facilities. Why any parent would allow their talented kids to join this half-@rsed arrangement I can't imagine - except to say that with someone like Pedro now involved you might feel he would be a positive influence on both the kids talent and personality development. In that regard this is certainly a positive move - eventually.

Interestingly, during the U-21 game the other night Martin Tyler was eulogising Shola, and said he had emerged from Newcastle's highly productive Youth Academy!

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

I thought Keegan would take him away.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

It's about time the club rewarded one of our most loyal servants. Pedro had said for ages how he wanted to help the club in any way he could. Personally, I think he's got more to offer the likes of the reserves / U-17s (especially Chopra et al) than the bairns.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

But sticking him with this most talented crop of youngsters would let him rise up the levels with them. Isn't that what happened to Brian Kidd (analogy ends there due to disasterous management experience when he left coaching).

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Well ifr nowt else he'll bloody scare them! obviously,to be fair etc etc Do you think he may piss off again from his beloved toon like he has done twice?

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Not sure he would go.

His lads are school age and he'll be wanting to settle down permanently. If he is hugely successful in his role and he can't seem to advance himself within the club he may well move on.

Did you know that apart from the people currently associated with the club everyone who was ever on the staff of Sunderland has actually left them. This is a terrible statistic, for any club.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Yee tryin to say Wor Pedro's not a fine-looking blerk, superkev?

You're being bit hard on him aren't you? I know for a certain fact that he was desperate to sign for the Toon when he was a kid, but sadly we wiffed on him at that point believing he was too small and skinny.
After travelling around, and being rejected by manure, he came back as soon as we showed an interest in signing him. Ultimately, he was sold for what at that time was serious lucca, when we were exclusively a selling Club, partly to finance the redevelopment of the Main Stand (now Milburn Stand). If I'm being totally honest, I suspect he was also keen to join what at that time was the biggest club in the land - Liverpool. But then again, as soon as KK showed he was keen to bring him back he came like a shot, played some of his best football during a fabulous spell for us and was allowed to leave when he was about 35, and effectively finished.

Hardly makes him a deserter.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

I've never regarded Pedro as a deserter. When he went to 'pool he was advancing his career - a bit like Mickey Bridges, eh, tho Pedro made it to international stardom. Maybe the analogy will continue when MB sees sense and makes the same decision as PB did ;-)

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

I had the privilege to see Pedro at the Soccer Six celebrity thing @ Chewsea yesterday playing for Ant & Dec's winning side (the former saving a penalty in the quarter final penalty shootout).

1-0 up in one of the group games the other side equalised so the black and whites just gave the ball to Beardo and he walzed his way past 5 before slotting it in - this happened at every dodgy moment for the favourites. Pass of the tournament from Beardsley was a 30 yard 'clearance' to their forward who volleyed with pace past Rod Stewarts goalkeeper.

Strangest part of the day
(part 1): Seeing Ian Rush in the Toploader side playing centre-half, creative midfielder and striker.
(part 2) Watching Chris Waddles strange interpretation of the rules of football whilst reffing the Womens final (and Jordan didn't even make the pitch for that one).

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2001

Ant's not a bad goalie. The last time I saw one of these tournaments on the telly Ant pulled off some excellent saves. What's your name son?

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2001

He takes the penalty shoot out game on SMTV very seriously :-)

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2001