Robbie Elliott has talked to the Evening Chronicle about why he thinks Kevin Keegan will always stick to his principles, while managing Newcastle for the second time.
Robbie Elliott - in his playing days under Keegan at Newcastle
Robbie, who was born in Gosforth, and is now 34 years old, was part of the Newcastle side in Keegan’s first management stint at the club, from 1992 to 1997.
He left for Bolton in 1997, once Kenny Dalglish had taken over, but later returned to Newcastle for a second stint in 2001, when Bobby Robson was manager.
During Kevin’s first reign at the club, Newcastle never stopped attacking their opponents, and we saw that same theme again this year, once Kevin had sorted out the team, when he arrived back in January.
And it was just great to watch that kind of football again.
Elliott feels that was one of the key reasons Newcastle were able to attract attacking players of the caliber of Tino Asprilla, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Alan Shearer to the club.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to do the same again, but maybe starting next summer or perhaps in January.
Robbie talked to the Evening Chronicle yesterday:
“You always want to be part of that.â€
“Back in those days, when we played like that, nobody wanted to say no when it came to joining Newcastle.â€
“It was a pleasure to be involved with as a player.â€
“The team was playing football the right way and it was a happy camp.â€
“It was all part of the success.â€
Elliott has been considering a career in the game as a strength and conditioning coach, and has been learning the job with the current Newcastle fitness coach Adrian Lamb at St James’ Park.
Elliott added:
“I was going in to Newcastle from the start of last season, the hope being that I can learn the ropes.†“I really enjoyed it.â€
“I have learned a lot and this is just the next step.
“It’s great to do it at a massive club and being a local lad adds an extra buzz to it.â€
Maybe we will see Robbie back at the club sometime in the future, as our strength and conditioning coach.
There’s something very good about having your former players and local lads, still playing a part at the club - they know all about what Newcastle United means to the community and to their great fans.
Comments welcome.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Albert Stigys // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:06
Good man. I always liked Robbie as a Newcastle United player, and he’d be a welcome addition to the coaching staff here.
2 DanToon // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:19
Quiet today is it Ed?
3 d.c // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:30
was wondering why is there no one going for hunterlaar? hes class rite why still no clubs in for him..hope we might juz do it quietly on him again Lols
4 beye the great // Jul 5, 2008 at 12:40
nah dont want huntelaar
5 Leo // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:01
robbie elliott was a good footballer and very loyal, loved the club just like you or i, so dont knock him
6 ToonKing // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:16
yeah i liked Robbie too, remember him storming down the left with a big white turban on his head.
7 51times // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:07
Loyal player, like the others have said.
8 Marguerite // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:36
So good to see that shirt too - my absolute all time favourite - what good memories it brings back.
9 CRAIGG // Jul 5, 2008 at 17:16
Good player, Good man met him a while back in the metro.
Would be Good to see him back as well.
10 Davies // Jul 5, 2008 at 22:26
Yeah, my favourite strip too. Don’t know where mine is anymore.
11 Ericles // Jul 6, 2008 at 11:03
Robbie is a good lad and hope he returns as a coach one day. His loyalty is what is needed now. A fine Toon player and no prima donna either. All the best Robbie.