There were high-fives and hugs all round last month as Newcastle’s players celebrated securing a first Wembley final since 1999 when Callum Wilson smuggled Jonjo Shelvey, doing his best to keep a low profile having signed for Nottingham Forest that day, into the home dressing room for one last hurrah. Before kick-off against Southampton, Shelvey bid farewell to a sold-out St James’ Park and afterwards he addressed his former teammates and staff, some of whom he had shared the previous seven years with. “I’m not really an emotional person but the kids were a bit upset and the missus was crying when I walked out on to the pitch,” Shelvey says.
Wilson ensured Shelvey was part of the celebratory post-match squad photo, a tradition that has followed Eddie Howe to Tyneside and the Newcastle manager praised Shelvey for standing up for the club in dark times. How does the club Shelvey joined from Swansea in 2016 compare with the one he left behind on deadline day? “Massively different,” he says. “Last season when the owners took over they really came in and made their mark. They brought the manager in and he was brilliant for me personally. I had a great run of games last season, we got a great winning feeling and he really enhanced that within the club. I can only wish them every success.”
