‘I agreed to signal for Sunderland – however my remorse isn’t enjoying for Newcastle’
A former Premier League and England star admitted there was one club above all he wished he played for despite his incredible career taking him to the top of British football
Peter Crouch confessed he regrets not signing for Newcastle United despite once having a deal in place to join their fierce rivals Sunderland.
The former Premier League forward, who had spells at clubs including Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Spurs and Stoke City, never got the chance to don the black and white stripes of Newcastle, much to his disappointment.
In 2009, it seemed like a move to the North East was imminent when he agreed terms with Sunderland. The ex-England international visited the training ground, met then-manager Steve Bruce, and even started house hunting in anticipation of a move from Portsmouth.
However, on his way back home, Crouch, 44, received a call from his former manager Harry Redknapp, who wanted to bring him to Tottenham Hotspur. Having previously worked together at Portsmouth and Southampton, Redknapp managed to convince Crouch to make the switch to north London for a fee of £10million.
Reflecting on the transfer saga years later, when asked which club he wished he had played for, Crouch didn’t hesitate. “I reckon there’s something special about being Newcastle’s number nine,” he said.
“Whenever I go up there, I feel like it’s a football city and when I think of the old centre forwards that have played well for Newcastle, you’re like the hero, aren’t you? If I had scored goals for Newcastle… Even the music before the game they play up at Newcastle.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing as an away player there. They understand football. They live and breathe it. If I had gone in just after that Alan Shearer phase, I would have been at a good age then.
“But these things don’t work out. It’s all hypothetical, but if I had to pick one club to play for, it would have been Newcastle.”
The honour of being Newcastle’s main striker was something Shearer savoured for 10 years and one he’d fantasised about whilst growing up as a devoted supporter of the club.
Speaking in 2019 at NBC’s Premier League Mornings Live event, the former England frontman explained: “I grew up in Newcastle supporting and going to St James’ Park. The No. 9 is an iconic number for the people of Newcastle United.
“Jackie Milburn was my dad’s hero, Malcolm McDonald, all these No. 9s that have had it, and I just felt that if I was going back there I’d love to have that No. 9 shirt.
“That’s the reason I asked Les, and he kindly said I could have it. It wasn’t a deal-breaker, it wouldn’t have mattered if he’d said no, but he very kindly said yes. For me to wear the No. 9 shirt was a great honour.”
