Craig Bellamy says he has seen enough in two months at SJP to know he wants to stay on Tyneside for the rest of his career.

The former Coventry star (!) endeared himself to United fans with a superb leveller in the Tyne-Wear derby last Sunday - and insists that the feeling is mutual. "Playing in front of 50,000 crowds at St James' Park - especially in the derby against Sunderland - now that's real pressure. The mighty roar makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck every time I run out" he said.

Bellamy added "Newcastle folk are so passionate and knowledgeable about their football. I never want to leave this club. It was the perfect move for me and I'd be happy to spend the rest of my career with Newcastle."

He's no fool this lad!

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Answers

A happy player.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

What did he say when he snubbed us for Coventry ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

"What the f*** did I come here for", presumably!

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

You gotta be jokin' He scores one goal for us against the makems and now he wants to commit himself for life?? This along with his "Newcastle have better players than sunderland" remark is of big tit proportions. I wonder what happens when everyone is fit and his arse is warming the bench?? How do you like me now???

I think YBR should tell his players to keep all of their collective gobs shut, since YBR can get the club all the bad press he wants by himself.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Actually, it was:

“Newboy Craig Bellamy has vowed to live up to his massive price- tag and prove he is worth every single penny.

The exciting 21-year-old striker arrives at Highfield Road in a £5million deal, rising to £6.5million with add-ons.

And he acknowledged: "Coming to Coventry means I've put pressure on myself from day one. I've got to do well because Coventry have not got the sort of money to go spending willy-nilly "I've got to prove myself and make sure it is money well spent. I need to grab this opportunity with both hands.

"Had I gone to a bigger club I wouldn't have had the chance of playing straight away and it could have been easier in many ways just sitting and biding my time with no pressure." He continued: "I'm just trying to get to know the players and for them to get to know me. I am determined to enjoy every minute of it.

"It's a big step up and I know the players will be physically strong and will see things quicker in the Premiership, and I am looking forward to trying myself out."”

Doesn't sound so bad in hindsight.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

I presume you found that clipping in the pocket of your anorak Softie. ;-)

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Archived news on the CCFC official site, you wouldn't want to know what I keep in my anorak. Uuuurrrgggh!

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

From the same source but earlier (the last couple of lines aren't relevant - but are quite funny in retrospect):

I WAS SET TO MOVE ELSEWHERE!!

Newboy Craig Bellamy has revealed he was on the verge of joining another Premiership club before City's £6.5million swoop for his services.

The exciting 21-year-old striker has been tracked by the likes of Newcastle and Spurs in recent weeks. And he told the Web Site: "To be honest I'd agreed terms with another club, so I was on my way there. But obviously Coventry came in at a certain stage and then I met the chairman, the gaffer and the secretary.

"After I spoke to them, everything made sense and it was the right club for me. I'm going to play a part in a team, which means a lot to me, because I was out last year through injury.

"Everything about the club's great and I'm just delighted that Coventry have come in for me. They wanted me a lot and obviously the other clubs did want me, but it was a different feeling with Gordon Strachan."

Looking forward to working with the City boss, Bellamy added: "I need to learn as a player, because I'm at a certain level in football and I need to improve.

"With Gordon Strachan, he's going to put so much time into me, because I want to learn. That makes it easy from day one."

So who will win the Premiership?
And who will be the other winners and losers next season?

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Err didn't Don Hutch say similar 4 weeks ago?

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2001

Yes, and Soopah Cockney Kev said something similar.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2001

Kev's got a point.....so he loves us now, wait til a BIG club like Fulham come in and he'd soon leave and start loving them...

The days are nearly gone when you could truly believe that players felt some real attachment to a club or area.....we've still got a couple...Barton and Lee for instance...

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2001

Hells bells fellas. It's no different when you find a new "heart-throb" (or whatever you call them these days). First few glorious weeks and you swear undying love for them. But after a couple of months and you've seen her first thing in the morning without makeup after a particularly heavy night doon the Bigg Market - well you get the picture.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2001

Screacher's got a point there. Until the missles started raining down and the US lost their tenuous link to a plot, I was pretty impressed with the Honduran fans. It's easy to get caught up in that initial rush. It's what he's saying 6 or 9months from now that will tell. Or after he's dropped to the bench when (if!) Shearer and Cort are both fit again.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2001