Anthony Gordon’s arrival has polarised Newcastle United supporters all week. Fans have not forgotten his fiery exchange with Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar during the Magpies’ 1-0 win over Everton in October.
Just seven months earlier, Gordon’s tendency to go down easily riled up the Toon away end as the Toffees won by the same scoreline. Throw in his recent absences from Everton training in the build-up to his transfer and you have a potent mix for a fierce debate.
Now he will be wearing black-and-white stripes, those critics are prepared to give him a chance, owing much to the credit Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth have earned in the bank. A £45million transfer fee appears steep but could prove a pittance if the 21-year-old enjoys a long, illustrious career on Tyneside.
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Newcastle, like Everton, is a club submersed in working-class culture. The cotton industry in Liverpool was as strong as shipbuilding on the Tyne and still leaves its imprint on the city to this day.
In recent years, the NUFC Fans Food Bank has received donations on matchdays, with proceeds helping those in the West End of Newcastle. Supporters may have found Gordon a nuisance on the pitch… but his off-field work deserves accreditation.
Last month, in the build-up to Christmas, the youngster selflessly visited his local Asda in Bootle and filled seven trolleys up to help those in need. Food, toiletries and other essentials were bought as Gordon aimed to give back to his community.
Speaking to our sister outlet, the Liverpool Echo, the Toon’s new arrival defied the preconception that many levelled at him before his £45million move.
"I know the struggles that can go on at this time of the year,” Gordon said. “It can be a really expensive time to live and obviously some people are not fortunate enough to be able to afford certain things. So me being in the position I am, I just wanted to give back and help out as much as I could.
"It gives me immense pride (being able to help), it's something I dreamed of as a kid - having that responsibility to be able to help as many people as possible.
"Now I am coming to an age where I can go and help as many people as I can through Everton in the community and I am just really proud, proud to see what they have set up here and proud to be part of it.
“As a kid, I would say it was all about the football and as I have got older and matured I have seen there is more to life. Now I am in a position where I can go outside of football and make an impact off the pitch as well as on it and that is something I am really looking forward to doing."
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