OPINION
Homegrown heroes were once commonplace for Newcastle United fans but have recently been in scarce supply on Tyneside – but that could all change with a talent at Leeds United.
Gone are the days of Shearer, Beardsley and Gascoigne dazzling the St James’ Park faithful, with just local lad Paul Dummett featuring in the starting XI – or even the entire match day squad for that matter – today.
Their youth recruitment has been dire and it seems there have been plenty of youngsters from the north east slipping through their net – including Leeds’ latest debutant Leif Davis.
The 18-year-old might have arrived at Elland Road from west coast outfit Morecambe but he was born in Newcastle and spent his youth playing for boys teams on Tyneside.
He is evidently highly rated by the Whites to be playing for the first team – albeit enforced by injury problems suffered by Marcelo Bielsa’s side – and it will have Newcastle fans scratching their heads about how such a prodigious talent was once again missed by the club’s talent spotters.
Now making his mark at Leeds, it is time for Rafael Benitez to bring him home, offering him a shot at his hometown club and helping bolster what is a weak spot in the Magpies’ line up at left back.
He might not have come through the youth system but as a born-and-bred Geordie he would be welcomed with open arms by the Toon Army, and he could go on to be the next hero at St James’ Park.
The next Paul Dummett? Only time will tell.