Steven Taylor to be Captain of Newcastle United?
The Sunday Sun is reporting today that Steven Taylor is the shock leading candidate for the vacant Newcastle captaincy — and the chance to become the youngest United skipper of all time.
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce is reported to be almost ready to hand the armband to 21-year-old Taylor. This is a surprise move since most of the Newcastle fans had seemed to favor either Nicky Butt or Shay Given ahead of the 21 year-old.
We also thought that Steven was maybe a year or two too young to be handed the armband.
Steven Taylor - Newcastle Captain?
This may be an enlightened move by Sam Allardyce to jump start Steven in terms of extra responsibility at Newcastle. There is no doubt – after his brave performances for the England Under-21 team during the summer - that he impressed lots and lots of football folk with his leadership and playing abilities.
On reflection we think this may be a brilliant move by Allardcye to bring the very best out of Steven – certainly it says he is the player that Sam will build the defense (and the team) around next season and beyond. And of course Steven has all the grit and courage of a boy raised in the streets of Newcastle - and in awe of Newcastle United. Taylor is fighting to be fit for the start of the season on August 11th, but that is not thought to have affected Allardyce’s thinking on the captaincy issue.
It will not be unheard of for Allardyce to appoint a young captain since he did have Kevin Nolan in that position at Bolton Wanderers. Kevin is now still only 25 years old and was 22 when appointed by Sam. It doesn’t seem to have adversely affected Kevin too much since he has already played 250 times for Bolton and scored 39 goals.
The more we think about this the more we like it. Jermaine Jenas was the youngest captain ever for Newcastle but that was just a one off affair. Steven will be the permanent captain if appointed and we would also expect Shay Given – one of the best servants ever for the club – to continue to be vice captain. For the youngsters of Newcastle it just shows you what is possible - and remember Steven was once a proud ball boy for the club 12 years ago.
Please let us have your views on this news.
Tags: Newcastle News
League Position
Pos Team Pld GD Pts
13 Man City 20 8 22
14 Newcastle 19 -6 22
15 Sunderland 20 -8 22
Goals
Player PL FAC CC Total
Owen 7 0 2 9
Martins 6 0 0 6
Ameobi 3 0 0 3
N'Zogbia 2 0 1 3
Duff 2 0 0 2
Guthrie 2 0 0 2
Milner 1 0 0 1
Taylor 1 0 0 1
Barton 1 0 0 1
Xisco 1 0 0 1
Edgar 1 0 0 1
PL – Premier league
FAC – FA Cup
CC – Carling Cup
Injuries
Player Injury Return
Smith Achilles Jan09
Ngo Baheng ACL Knee Jan09
González Achilles Mar09
Dates are return to training
Dr. Ed Harrison is a retired IBM Consulting Group Executive who now has time, and lots of it, after 34 years at the American computer company, to write about his lifelong passion - Newcastle United Football Club.
Ed was born and bred in Newcastle Upon Tyne, and watched his first game at St. James’ Park in 1949 as a 4 year-old with his Mother and Father. He was told to look out for number 9 - Jackie Milburn – the great Wor Jackie - and was he fast!
In football terms Ed was a goalkeeper and played for Wharrier Street Primary School and Newcastle Minors (Newcastle Schoolboys Under-11), in 1956 and went on to play for Newcastle Schoolboys and Northumberland Schoolboys (Under-15) in 1959 and an England Schoolboys trial.
He was at Newcastle United for a couple of years from 1960 as an amateur, while still at school, and played with Bobby Moncur and David Craig, amongst others, for the Newcastle United Under-18 side (Newcastle N’s in those days), during the relegation season of 1960-1961.
Ed attended Heaton Technical and Manor Park schools, and then went on to study at both King’s College, London (BSc Electrical Engineering) and Newcastle University (PhD Computer Science). He played for Newcastle Universities and England Universities from 1967 until 1970.
But a short couple of years after Ed joined IBM in 1970, he was shipped over to the USA, with his new wife Madeline, a beautiful local Newcastle lassie.
At IBM Ed was in computer systems and network design for 34 years, and in his last 10 years at the company was persuaded to enter executive management. where he ended up running IBM's Americas' Network Consulting Group for 5 years from the late 1990s, and was instrumental in forming the IBM alliance with Cisco Systems in 1999.
Ed and Madeline live just outside Raleigh in North Carolina. Their twin sons Paul and Neil, and daughter Elaine, are now in their early 30s, live close by, and Neil has carried on the family tradition by becoming an avid Newcastle United supporter.
And one final thing that is so true - you can take the boy out of Newcastle but you can't take Newcastle out of the boy!
Howay The Lads!!
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32 responses so far ↓
1 Cockney Magpie // Jul 15, 2007 at 14:23
I think that will be a great decision, although he is stil young he is clearly a born leader and so passionate about Newcastle United and always puts in 110% for the team. I have said this for a couple of years now but i really think he will be as good if not better than John Terry in a couple of seasons.
2 Cockney Magpie // Jul 15, 2007 at 14:24
give it 3 years and it will be terry and taylor in the centre of englands defence
3 doc // Jul 15, 2007 at 14:32
To soon for Taylor,
Barton may be an outside bet, he has drive and determination I wonder if he can channel this to his team mates
4 Ahmed Bilal // Jul 15, 2007 at 14:43
Not sure if this is a smart idea - too much pressure?
5 Beastie // Jul 15, 2007 at 15:03
give it to barton make taylor vice captain!!!
6 Ben // Jul 15, 2007 at 15:20
taylor would be an absolutly awesome captain….its probably been a dream to captain his hometown team and he’d put in 110% as always he wouldnt want to let himself or the geordie public down…..
7 Greg B // Jul 15, 2007 at 15:43
Most people think forwards dont make good captains but I am sure Michael Owen will be captain next season with Shay as Vice captain.
Ive not been Owens biggest fan these past few weeks but now he has finally decided to stay Id have him as captain. He has captained England so why not Newcastle, Shearer is a classic example that strikers make great leaders.
Just look at Bellamy and Wales! (OK maybe not)
8 Big Sam Fan // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:08
As alot of the comments i have read go along the lines of get the defence sorted, i can not see anyone better and well equipped to be OUR CAPTAIN!!
(maybe shay) Barton is a no no as just arrived and learning of our football way, Owen although commited to the toon, he is not worthy of it yet.
Against FC Bayern few years back in preseason friendly Talyor was bossing the defence. He has all the leadership qualities needed, the passion for the club(which to the fans is the most important thing) also he has 2 great role models in Big Sam and who i like to call GOD/THE GREAT ONE Alan Shearer….
Taylor can lead our team for the next13-15 years and we are all after abit of stability. 150% in favour of Taylor (C), Given (VC)
Team….
Given (vc)
Fanni
Queudrue
Taylor (C)
Rozenhal
Milner
Barton
Deco
Duff
Owen
Viduka
9 Ed Harrison // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:10
Cockney Magpie - agree - maybe even sooner than that - certainly for next world cup
10 Ed Harrison // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:12
Big Sam Fan (BSF?) - you’d have Queudrue at left back rather than Geremi?
11 Big Sam Fan // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:13
Oh I forgot, If Big Sam gives him the captains armband then we definately need to sort out his contract aswell
12 Ed Harrison // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:14
Taylor certainly is a born leader - look at how he was playing for the Under-21s in the summer - he is certainly a born leader - no doubt about that - we think he’ll thrive on the pressure.
13 Big Sam Fan // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:20
yes as geremi is not left footed both good quality players, geremi is better suited to RB and RM but there i see a problem as Milner i wouldnt replace, fanni well he looks good player so suppose there could be good omp for places there or if fanni does not settle (all be it that we do sign him). id prefer altogether that we went in for Bridge or Baines, i rate these two very highly. The team is taking abit of shape here ive posted before my teeam and players id go after…..
Micah Richards
Baines
Cannavaro
Rodriguez (Villerreal)
Defence wise i think this would have us more or less covered for next 6-7 years
Geremi
Baines
Taylor
Cannavaro
then bring on Richards and rodriguez in time and play 4 young ones together. Thats my defence
14 Big Sam Fan // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:33
if we got Micah Richards, Layton Baines and Gonzalo Rodriguez and stick Taylor in there in 3-4 years we would have a world class defence. obviously experience is needed at the minute but like Ed said Kids are the future…
15 Joe // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:37
Not Barton. I’d be happy with Tayls as captian local lads show the most passion. Woudn’t mine shay as captian too!
16 lee, Malaysia // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:44
my shout for the toon … big sam u better listen!! if u gonna spend ,please spend b ig..
newcastle united possible winning team:
1. given
2. taylor
3. coloccini / rafael marquez
4. geremi
5. quedrue
6. barton
7. deco
8. milner
9. duff
10. owen
11. martin
17 Cockney Magpie // Jul 15, 2007 at 16:51
Taylor also has that great english passion like John Terry, Stuart Pearce, Terry Butcher etc and Ed Harrison - i totally agree that Taylor will Thrive on the pressure.
18 LiamBirchy8 // Jul 15, 2007 at 17:40
are you going to an article on cannavaro? i would love to get him on a free, chelsea cant beat us to another one, they have already got ben-haim. Also have you heard anymore on duscher? i think taylor is too young, how about offering cannvaro captaincy if he comes?
19 Dave // Jul 15, 2007 at 17:53
Cockney Magpie: I hope you’re right, I really do. Personally I think he’s a season too young, maybe even two. Stand in skipper certainly. Problem is though I don’t know who I’d give the band…
20 C DAWSON // Jul 15, 2007 at 17:59
about TAYLOR for captain, I dont think hes exsperienced enough yet but who else is there. I supose nicky butt, or SHAY but it dosent work with a keeper as captain as he couldent bark orders right out to strikers.
so it looks like TAYLOR will get it. GOOD LUCK TO THE LAD.
21 Aerial // Jul 15, 2007 at 18:00
give the arm band to Given. experience is there plus hes commited 2 newcastle so he will drive the players forward with his saves. Mark Viduka aint a bad shout either. but only if hes a regular player. even though i think it should be martins and owen upfront
22 jacobmannjones // Jul 15, 2007 at 18:04
Given would be the only other option in me eyes. Owen? I don’t see him as 110% committed to the NUFC cause at this point. Barton is just arriving at SJP, and not sure he’s a long-term answer leadership wise… Yes he’s full of vinegar, but not exactly what BSA is looking for in me oppinion.
Tayls would be a solid option; he bleeds black & white ~ and should for the next 10 years or so in the least. True it is alot of responsibility, and the pressure would be massive. Though you’ve got to figure that the kid has the wherewithal to be great in that role. He would have the opportunity to grow in that role as NUFC grow in stature and raise the level of expectation at SJP.
A match made in Magpie heaven…
23 Graham // Jul 15, 2007 at 18:29
Taylor needs to learn to cool his head down as he is still partial to a few rash tackles. We can do without our captain missing 3 or 4 games a season through suspension. And I would make Barton captain of a peddalo on South Shield boating lake at the minute either; he needs to prove he can keep his calm both on and off the pitch. Taylor is a captain in waiting but i’m not sure we have our present captain at the club yet (Butt possible - but will he play in all the games he’s availble for?)
24 Graham // Jul 15, 2007 at 18:30
sorry I WOULD’NT make barton captain of a peddalo! that made worrying reading for a second!
25 AB // Jul 15, 2007 at 20:03
I’ve been going on at my friends about Taylor since he was on the fringe at 19 and I think he’s the future of our club (and I don’t think anyone disagrees with that), but captain? I think it might be a bit soon. I wouldn’t give it to Shay either, he’s a class keeper and his loyalty is undoubted, but I’ve never liked keeper-captains. He doesn’t have the presence to carry it off like Schmeichel did. So for my money, I’d go with Owen.
26 michael // Jul 15, 2007 at 20:18
But JB wants to win soooooo badly. That’s why he kicked the crap out of an overpaid mediocre frenchman. I say Cudos. Very Roy Keane.
Depends who we sign before the season starts i reckon. If we were to sign world cup winning and stalwart centre half Fabio Cannovarro, then that pretty much closes the debate right?
If you’re looking for two full backs, Bridge and Young! Whilst Rod Fanni sounds good, we know that these two are exceptional. What’s going to cost? (LY 2.7mill i read a couple of days ago, and Bridge 3-5mill depnding on Chris
Mort’s negotiating skills) It’s just a very easy well until we lent him to England.
27 AB // Jul 15, 2007 at 20:30
Young is NOT exceptional and Bridge is crocked
28 gordon // Jul 15, 2007 at 20:43
barton is the chice look at the way he got man city going having a goalkeeper as captain is a waste of time.
29 Greg B // Jul 15, 2007 at 23:08
Barton is a prick though, no matter how much you want to win you dont kick the crap out of someone. Maybe in the future but Barton has still got a lot of fans to win over (myself included) before Sam starts giving him the captains armband!
No doubt he has exceptional talent but his immature and wreckless attitude have let him down too many times at City, hence they got shut of their best player for what is in todays market, peanuts!
Fingers crossed Sam can get him to knuckle down and prove that City were wrong to let him go. Here’s hoping.
30 michael // Jul 16, 2007 at 4:32
JB is a curse clothed in a premiership footballers ability. (Untangle those cliches… dare you!) but he would make an infinitely better captain than Scott “watch me peroette on the ball” Parker.
He’s got ability and a hunger to win. Whilst I liked good old dependable Scott Alan Keith Colin Parker, he really was the finance minister of football, and never lived up to the billing given him when he arrived on the tyne.
When paired with Glenn “I’m very patient, some may say too patient/ Big Sam doesn’t deserve the fans patience” Roeder, we had a cauldron for unmotivated highly paid mediocrity.
Which further stagnated into a paltry 13th. There existed a dicotomy of some youngsters playing well above themselves in order to even make the first team (Peter “Asda boy” Ramage) and those that could be there on merit not having to try to earn plaudits amongst a success starved football fanatical toon army who had no one else to turn to (Charles “Can’t really be arsed” N’Zogbia).
We’ve been kidding ourselves too long that Dyer, Bramble, Ameobi and co. would come good eventually. Time to take stock and cut the wheat from the chaff. Ambrose is the text book example. A 5 mill “wunderkid” who when here did nothing, but we prayed he would come good. Since he left he’s still been rubbish.
If we really want to challenge for the league there can be no room for sentiment. So what if Chopra scored a goal against the mackems, and was ace at youth level? Fact is he couldn’t hit the back of a barn door. If he was good enough he would have shown it in the 10 training sessions a week. He won’t be the one that got away.
Barton however is the epitomy of the new regime. And I’m not talking about his penchant for a bit of rough and tumble. He’s a driven man. A man who not only wants to play for England, but also wants to win for England. Like all of Sam’s signings he has a purpose. Rozenhal and Geremi to solidify a crap rear guard, Viduka as the target man. (Both badly missed last season). So what’s Barton? I believe he’ll be our Gerrard, our Keane, our Viera, our captain.
Chaff: Ameobi, Luque, Carr, Babayaro, Butt, Emre + the 5 mugs already gone, thank Christ?
Wheat: Taylor, Owen, Milner
4 more signings and we’ll have a first 11.
I haven’t included Martins who is wheat 50% and chaff 50% of the time.
Neither have I included Nobby. I want to say wheat but it may just be my sentimental side.
31 michael // Jul 16, 2007 at 4:45
Silly me i forgot about Shay and Duff. Both wheat. So then if we sign a left back and a central midfielder we’d have a starting 11.
Duscher won’t arrive cos he couldn’t run the length of himself in training. Took his trial dead seriously then!
Is Quedrue actually any good?
32 sz // Jul 17, 2007 at 12:59
taylor is too young for me, so BS should give the armband to owen