David Craig interviewed – Newcastle United Fairs Cup legend | OneFootball

Little old me, aka the Magic Sponge, had the pleasure of the company of David Craig last week.

He was on a visit over to Northern Ireland to see his family and friends.

One of whom is my father who grew up with David and they have remained close friends ever since.

David is still as modest as ever, humorous and a very personable man, a real gent who like most of us on here, bleeds black and white.

I was able to pose a few basic questions to David Craig:

Favourite current Toon player:

‘Best player, though he’s not in the team at present, would be Trippier. I’ve a soft spot for full backs!’

Where do you think we will finish this season?

‘I think we will finish top four!’

Move location or stay at St James’ Park?

‘Would really like to remain where we are but understand financial reasons for moving.’

Who was/is your all time idol?

‘I played with some great players in black and white but Bobby Moncur edges it.

Frank Clark, Supermac, and Pop Robson not far behind.

Also, Jackie Milburn and Dick Keith, both great players and always very friendly and supportive of me in the early days of my career.

Beardsley and Waddle are other players I didn’t play with.

I’ve left some great players out, it’s a difficult question!’

Best you ever played against, and with, at international level?

‘Pele, and George Best’

Any player you would wish we could sign?

‘Would love us to sign Lucas Paqueta, (pending a successful outcome of his investigation), I like him as a player and think he is what we could do with in midfield.

Also, I suppose we could do with another striker, but where do you get one? Or a fully fit Wilson!’

(Hopefully our Sporting Director Mr Mitchell is reading, although probably not)

David was also lamenting the lack of tickets at St James’ Park, like the rest of us even an ex-player is having difficulty getting in to watch games, which I think is disappointing.

An amusing story was one about the kits and football boots and the playing conditions at present, compared to the sixties.

The team got their training kit on the Monday and it was thrown into a large dryer (not a washing machine), so by the end of the week he said, ‘you can imagine the stink!’

We also discussed our squad and David added, ‘I must mention our two young full-backs, who look like they are set for great futures.’

Thanks to David, for his time and friendship to my Dad over the years, – I hope to get to a match in the New Year with him and stand him a few refreshments!