Steve Black was "one in a billion" and a "unique character" who Joey Barton is honoured to call a friend and mentor, as the Bristol Rovers manager joined the tributes to the beloved coach following his death at the age of 64.
Black enjoyed a hugely successful and impactful career across football and rugby union, working as both a conditioning coach and sports psychologist with Newcastle United, Newcastle Falcons, the British & Irish Lions, Wales, Sunderland, Fulham, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City and QPR, as well as a consultant to individual sportspeople.
Kevin Keegan, who worked his Black during the "Entertainers Era" at Newcastle in the mid 1990s, once called him, "the best one-to-one coach in the world". He's known for the defining influence he had on Jonny Wilkinson's legendary rugby career for England and Newcastle and iconic All Blacks World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry once named him, "the best motivator I’ve ever encountered".
Barton has regularly namechecked the Geordie as being a guiding light in his own career after the two worked together at QPR, then hiring him as a performance consultant for Fleetwood Town, and the 39-year-old has adopted many of his methods in his coaching at Rovers.
After the news of his death was confirmed on Sunday morning, after two tweets labelling him "a legend" and "the best", Barton then took to Instagram to deliver a moving 202-word eulogy to his friend.
The Best.
Someone who makes everything better.
Someone who makes you smile.
Someone who makes you laugh.
Someone who wants you to do well.
Someone who teaches things you never knew.
Someone who shows you what is possible if you believe.
Someone who desires the very best for you.
Someone who expects the very best of you.
Someone who always has your back.
Someone who won’t let anybody say a bad word about you.
Someone who sets the highest standards.
Someone who recognises your greatness.
Someone who helps you move towards it.
Someone who really cares.
Someone you love.
A solutions man.
A great friend.
A unique character.
One in a billion.
He was rarely ever wrong, so it’s with that I know we shall meet again.
Until then, I will try to make you as proud as I can. To pay you the ultimate compliment, to absolutely smash it. I’m honoured to say he was my friend.
I’ll be forever grateful he came into my life. I feel blessed to have spent time with him.
‘Til Valhalla Etienne Le Noir
Thank you.
My thoughts are with Julie, Emma, Stephen, Mark and all his grandchildren who he adored.
Rest Easy ‘Wor Kid
Barton's words have been echoed across the football and rugby community, with Newcastle Falcons stating he was "a proud Geordie who understood the value of people, and how to inspire them" and the "spiritual heartbeat" of the club.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer tweeted: "Awful news. RIP Blackie."
Former Magpies assistant manager Terry McDermott said: "Devastated to wake up to the news my big mate has passed away.
"Words can't do justice what a top bloke he was and he will be missed very much by everyone who knew him."
A minute's silence will be held in his honour ahead of Sunday's Premiership match between Newcastle and Exeter Chiefs at Kingston Park.
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