At around 9.30 on the evening of 18th March, you’d have been forgiven for thinking that we’d struggle to even give any of our players away come the summer transfer window. With Barcelona 7-2 up on the night of our Champions League Round of 16 second leg, I’d have laughed you out of town had you told me that anyone in black and white would fit in on the other team. And yet, some 72 days later Anthony Gordon has just signed a 5 year contract at the Camp Nou in return for Barca throwing £69m our way.
Some will say good riddance, reasoning that the player has let us down this season with a number of lacklustre performances and a perceived reluctance to feature in the last 4 games of the season. Others, myself included, will remember the many positives and wish the lad the very best of luck.
At the time we signed Gordon – in January 2023 – I was thrilled. For me, we’d signed a player who was raw, hungry, ultra quick and skilful and who had so much promise that his future in black and white looked truly exciting. Although he played in a very different position, there was something about this deal that reminded me of signing Andy Cole. And for me, Anthony Gordon has very much fulfilled that promise. With 152 appearances and 39 goals, I think it’s hard to argue against the fact that he’s done just the kind of job that he was brought in to do.
On the negative side of things, you could point out numerous performances this year when he didn’t look as interested as we’d have liked. There’s no doubt that there have been times when he’s let us down. But, he’s not been alone in that.
Remember though, players aren’t infallible. Anthony Gordon certainly wasn’t. I think he let us down badly against Liverpool in August of last year when he was sent off in first half injury time for a reckless challenge on Virgil Van Dijk. Without that I think most of us would say that we were on for a memorable victory. But wherever you look in terms of the Toon, players will have let us down. Nobody’s perfect. It’s the same with life in general. I mean, I begged for a BMX aged 12 and my parents got me a Grifter. Try doing wheelies on that! Talk about a let down!
But for any lows there have been many more highs. Whether it was hustling PSG defenders into mistakes on that memorable Champions League night in October 2023 when he was absolutely electric or fabulous goals at home against Spurs or versus Man City in 23/24. Whether it was one of many penalties won in our favour or the four goals and 33 minute hat-trick he scored this season against Qarabag. Whether it was the performance against the mackems in the cup win at the stadium of shite or his goal against them at home this season. Anthony Gordon was dynamic, exciting and frankly a menace, typifying the qualities that we would probably all ask for first and foremost in anyone wearing those black and white stripes.
Personally, I’ll remember the player that fell in love with the club, the area and the people and who at times looked like he’d die for that badge. A lad who arrived with potential and left a much better player, but still with some potential to fulfil.
On leaving he talked about how much he owed the club after arriving and feeling “quite lost”. He went on to say “I loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United” calling us “an incredible club” and ending with “I’ll be a fan for the rest of my life.” A classy way to end his time here, I thought. He leaves having become an England regular during that time and having been instrumental in the run to winning our first trophy in well over 50 years. Gordon has easily been one of my favourite players of the last few years and I have no doubt that whoever takes his shirt will have to work damned hard to replace that pace, hard work, guile and sheer impact on the team. Yamal’s new mate will be a tough act to follow!
Adiós y buena suerte, Anthony. And all the best, bonny lad!
Middle Age Fanclub 