Now it is our turn to carry Eddie Howe | OneFootball

The name Christy Ring will probably mean nothing to those unfamiliar with hurling. He was the equivalent of Pele, Piggott, Bradman, Laver, Hogan; an all-time great.

In a twist of fate, I became familiar with the Irish sports scene while working in Fleet Street 20 years ago.

One story I had to edit was a biography of Ring, which included a memorable quote from his Cork teammates days after his premature death in 1979 aged only 58: “He carried us for years. Now it is our turn to carry him.”

Last night’s news that Eddie Howe has been laid low by pneumonia was a shocker, notwithstanding the fact that a normally fit and energetic 47-year-old should make a full recovery.

He has reportedly been absent since last Monday, a fact the club managed to hide until after Sunday’s thrashing of Manchester United.

His impact since taking the reins on November 8, 2021, cannot be overstated. The transformation of Newcastle United from rudderless sinking ship to powerful supertanker is one of the most remarkable achievements of the Premier League era.

A club we all love was reborn, after the previous owner had achieved the seemingly impossible by driving away thousands of dedicated supporters.

United were among the best performing teams in the second half of the 21-22 season, saved from what had seemed certain relegation. Champions League qualifiers and League Cup finalists in 22-23. Wrecked by a ridiculous number of injuries in 23-24, yet still finishing the season in fine fettle.

The players have run through proverbial brick walls, the consequence of an indomitable team spirit built through Howe’s dedication to detail and determination to succeed.

As if those achievements were not enough, he delivered a first domestic cup since 1955 only four weeks ago, while simultaneously steering the team towards a second Champions League campaign that now looks all but certain. Did I mention the nine-in-a-row victories either side of Christmas?

A personal highlight of his stewardship was the trip to Dortmund in November 2023, when the Toon Army hordes flooded the city’s main square and, in a top-floor window of C&A, a couple of cheeky chappies unveiled a spectacular banner portraying Keegan, Robson and Howe. High praise indeed.

Eddie has put the fun back into football at St James’ Park. I cannot be the only supporter whose spirits have been lifted immeasurably by the events of March 16.

The hundreds of thousands who turned out to salute the players and management at the end of last month showed the world something special is happening on Tyneside.

Now the team, the club and the supporters must pay the biggest tribute to their leader while he takes as long as necessary to recover from what can be a debilitating illness.

If we can keep winning, keep chasing down the rivals who are now within reach, Eddie Howe will know he has done all he can to make more dreams come true.

One mark of a top manager is that the juggernaut marches on relentlessly when the main man takes a break. Another is to select good, honest grafters, players who will never shirk a challenge and who can be your leaders on the pitch.

United have no shortage of able lieutenants: Trippier, Guimaraes (“I am the Bruno”) and Lascelles all wear the armband with distinction but there are other de facto captains, such as Big Dan Burn and Big Joe, galvanisers with a heart as big as a lion’s.