Think Twice About That 'Famous No 9'

05 February 2010 11:02
One newspaper reports today that Leon Best "turned down the famous No 9 shirt at Newcastle" ... but the truth is ... he wasn't offered it! The number nine jersey will remain unfilled this season for the first time since numbered shirts were introduced in 1939. Chris Hughton revealed he had deliberately left it vacant until someone proves they deserve to wear it. Yes we all know the legends who have worn it - Shearer, Milburn, Sir Les, Supermac and White. But there have been some KNACKERS too. Wayne Fereday, Rob McDonald, Billy Whitehurst, Tony Cunningham, 'Mavis' Reilly, ... and that was just in a space of five years! Chris Hughton: “It’s one of the most iconic shirts around and it’s something I’ve done deliberately. What we have is a lot of strikers here and I’m quite sure that every single one of them would have wanted to wear the number nine. “It’s been a decision – and my decision – and it’s a bit of everything. When I came to this club I was made aware – not that I didn’t already know – what the number nine meant to this club and it’s a combination of a few things. For some, I think it can be a heavy number to carry, a burden if you like, and wearing it is an achievement which I want somebody to grow into. I want somebody to earn the right to be Newcastle’s number nine. “It’s a combination of a lot of things, but it’s been my decision. “I certainly don’t anticipate years going past without a number nine at this club. In saying that, what I don’t want to suggest is that the strikers we’ve got here aren’t worthy of that position or that number. “It certainly isn’t that. That would give people the wrong thoughts of how I think about them. Each of them has a real strong value to this football club and that’s why they’re all here.”  

Source: FOOTYMAD