Happy Birthday Elena Macelino

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Spanish international centre half signed by Ruud Gullit for £5.8m in June 1999 from Real Mallorca, intented to play alongside fellow new defensive arrival, Alain Goma.

Debuting on the same night as Kieron Dyer against Dutch minnows SV Deurne, Elena's competitive bow lasted just 45 minutes before he limped off with a thigh strain, as Newcastle lost 0-1 at home to Aston Villa and Alan Shearer was dismissed.

However things rapidly descended into farce for "El Sicknote", whose miserable tally of appearances was due to an array of injuries - infamously including a snapped finger tendon that kept him out for two months.

An exasperated Sir Bobby Robson never picked him again after a 0-2 loss at Charlton in February 2001 when the player barely broke into a trot - although yet again the player later claimed he'd been forced into playing when injured - a familiar refrain.

Marcelino's contract was eventually paid up by NUFC in 2003 and he left amid claims that Robson had deliberately tried to undermine his career because he'd been signed by Gullit - along with more than a suggestion of racism from the manager.

He also memorably said of his former employers: "They called me a thieving Spaniard and a bloody gypsy who was robbing the club's cash."

Having played for Sporting Gijon and Real Mallorca before his Tyneside sojourn, he joined Second Division side Polideportivo Ejido in Spain for 18 months.

Becoming a TV pundit, he appearing as a Premier League expert (he had watched it as a spectator for almost four seasons...)

Subsequently reappearing as a scout for Liverpool during the reign of Rafa Benitez, Marcelino later became a FIFA-registered agent and was involved in Michael Laudrup's appointment as Swansea City manager in 2012.

ACS Edit - This is tongue in cheek as, along with the likes of Owen he sucked us dry of cash whilst fannying around making out he was injured. There's a certain young waster in our ranks now who is trying to emulate him it seems......

 

I am surprised that with all those health issues he has managed to make it through to another birthday lol

 

Ah he truely was one of a kind....




Thank **** for that

 

I saw him play in a friendly at my local football team.

Him and other overpaid, underworked deadwood (Cort and Karelse) were sent by Robson to this and similar matches to make their lives less comfortable and to try and force them out. This was widely known at the time.

Carl Cort, I recall, did not hit the target. Not once. Against non-league opposition.

Anyhow, Happy Birthday Elana. I no longer wish you any specific harm.

The big stars took one hell of a hiding too. Fans of both teams baying for blood. Goading on ever more vicious tackling.

 

It's a wonder he didn't feign injury and cry off.

 

Carl Cort, the worst cash we ever spent!! At least Owen hit the net for us.

Goma, Marcelino, Domi, Charvet, Dumas, Glass - wow Ruud really could pick up some non-contributing players, his transfer dealings make Souness almost look competent.

 

was Ruud or Dogleash worse?