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Sammy Interview

Discussion in 'Newcastle United' started by Gutierrez's Right Boot, Sep 18, 2011.

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Gutierrez's Right Boot Well-Known Member

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WHEN the interview is over, Sammy Ameobi springs to his feet – bounding with the energy of a teenager taking his first steps in the Premier League.
He reaches for the door and cranks it open, inviting Newcastle’s press officer to exit first with the polite invitation ‘Ladies first’.
But then impeccable manners are just one reason why Ameobi Junior, the latest cab off the rank at United’s Benton Academy, is different from your average 18-year-old dipping his toe in the world of professional football.
Sammy is barely out of school, but he’s made his top-flight bow, scored his first professional goal and has already become something of a cult hero among supporters who have a long-standing relationship with his older brother Shola.
It has been quite a 12 months for the young striker but he remains gracious and humble to a fault.
The only difference in attitude or demeanour, those around the training ground reckon, is the virtually permanent smile tattooed to his face since breaking through.
“It was a bit less glamorous a year ago and looking back, I can’t believe I’ve made it this far in the space of a year,” he said.
“To be playing for Newcastle United – I can’t believe I’ve got this chance. But this is just the beginning, it’s really no more than that.

“I can’t believe it but I’m taking nothing for granted, I’ve got such a long way to go. It’s just a start.
“How do I manage to do that? Well my family are a very big help and they’re my inspiration really. They keep my feet on the ground and they keep me working hard.
“I’m very thankful to them for the way they’ve brought me up. It’s a very humble way and I’m reaping the benefits, I think, of the way they’ve helped to bring me up.
“I’m still the boy I was before all of this happened and they tell me I shouldn’t let myself change. The thing they tell me is not to let that happen – they wouldn’t.”
Ameobi’s approach is shaped by his background. The product of a deeply religious family, mother Margaret and pastor dad John have imbued a deep faith in both Sammy and Shola, who is 10 years his senior.
It is a huge help, he says, in helping him to avoid the pratfalls that have engulfed so many recent graduates of Premier League academies.
“My faith is very important to me too. It’s a big part of what I do, it’s a big part of my football too,” he said.
“There’s a lot of temptations that come with the territory of playing Premier League football so it’s good to have my faith. I think it keeps me away from some of those negative temptations.
“It’s fantastic to have Shola here as well who has a similar background. He helps immensely.”
Shola is a constant theme through an engaging chat with United’s latest Academy graduate.
For while Sammy was a keen sprinter until the age of “seven or eight”, it wasn’t until he saw big brother Shola stepping out at St James’ Park that he really took up a serious interest in football.
Long-standing Toon scout Brian Clark, the man who discovered Shola, encouraged him to join Walker Central and from there it was a short hop to the Academy that had helped develop his older sibling. Clark, Sammy admits, will always be welcome in the Ameobi household.
Not that he was allowed to drift at the private, Sunderland-based Christian school Grindon Hall that he attended.
“I was all right at school, to be fair,” he said. “I got an A in English, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and one E. That was in French, which I sort of regret now. If I’d known all the French players that Newcastle were going to bring in over the summer I might have stuck at it!”
Whatever the language barrier, there remains one friendly face in the dressing room.
“I have a lot of respect for Shola. He’s a big, big role model for me – both on and off the field,” he said.
“It’s more respect than that usual thing that brothers have. I’ve never fought with Shola once, even when I was younger. But then, have you seen the size of him?!
“I look to him for the standards of professionalism. He’s always in early for training, he’s always at a high level in training too. I’m working to be at those same levels - I want to be like him. But a better footballer!
“It was a big compliment to say that he thinks I’m better than he was at my age. It builds up my confidence, it’s a great thing to say and he’s such a major inspiration.”
Not that supporters should confuse the pair. Long and languid, Shola has plenty in his armoury, but the devastating pace that Sammy possesses marks them apart.
“My game is different to Shola’s,” he said. “I want to be a player who can bring a spark to the team when I come on. I want to be able to motivate everyone when I get on the pitch.
“The manager is asking me to come on and just run at defenders and I will do that for him. I don’t care who I’m up against – I’ll run against you.”
Fearless, but humble. It is a combination that will stand him in good stead as he embarks on this toughest of careers.
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Take note Nile

Also at the bold bit

#1
Gutierrez's Right Boot, Sep 18, 2011
JoeyBarton Member

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Came across excellent. Down to earth, eager and gratefull for the opportunity. Everything I would want in an NUFC player (obv being a good footballer helps)

#2
JoeyBarton, Sep 18, 2011
Darth Gogledd Well-Known Member

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at the bit where he basically says Shola isn't very good at football...

#3
Darth Gogledd, Sep 18, 2011
Gutierrez's Right Boot Well-Known Member

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Gogledd Cymru Toon said: ↑

at the bit where he basically says Shola isn't very good at football...
Click to expand...

“I look to him for the standards of professionalism. He’s always in early for training, he’s always at a high level in training too. I’m working to be at those same levels - I want to be like him. But a better footballer!
Click to expand...

ouch

#4
Gutierrez's Right Boot, Sep 18, 2011
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Sammy Ameobi said: ↑

“I look to him for the standards of professionalism. He’s always in early for training, he’s always at a high level in training too. I’m working to be at those same levels - I want to be like him. But a better footballer!
Click to expand...

Probably answers a lot of peoples questions as to why Shola is constantly picked by every manager we've had

#5
cally8793, Sep 18, 2011
Welshie Chavcunt fanboy dickhead

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Let's just make Shola a coach then..

He offers nothing in the terms of football but people defend him by saying "Well..he's in training pretty early mind." What the ****s the fat bastard doing in training?!

#6
Welshie, Sep 18, 2011
P.T.N Active Member

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Yes, Shola is a crap footballer. But, he's obviously a good person to have around the club. Set a good example. Shame that ****er Nile Ranger doesnt take any notice!

#7
P.T.N, Sep 18, 2011
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Is Sammy Ameobi the anti-Nile Ranger?

#8
Minty Fresh, Sep 18, 2011
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I never fought with Shola once but then have you seen the size of him!?

#9
Tiggyrimana, Sep 18, 2011
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Tiotesleftfoot said: ↑

Is Sammy Ameobi the anti-Nile Ranger?
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Literally the opposite person, even scored on his debut (8 or 9 goals this season for reserves/friendlies), Ranger has about 3 goals in 50 apps.

Also "It’s more respect than that usual thing that brothers have. I’ve never fought with Shola once, even when I was younger. But then, have you seen the size of him?!"

#10
Smudger, Sep 18, 2011
Heavy Metal Toon Guest

He's the more talented and bright of the 3.

Shola is ****, Tomi is in a league below Conference level.

Sammy could actually be a PL hit.

#11
Heavy Metal Toon, Sep 18, 2011
Hatem Is A Geordie Active Member

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Heavy Metal Toon said: ↑

He's the more talented and bright of the 3.

Shola is ****, Tomi is in a league below Conference level.

Sammy could actually be a PL hit.
Click to expand...

Not a bad family mind!

#12
Hatem Is A Geordie, Sep 18, 2011
Cal. Active Member

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Read this at work today, good to hear from him and love his attitude. We need the Ameobi family to adopt all our best youth prospects.

Heavy Metal Toon said: ↑

He's the more talented and bright of the 3.

Shola is ****, Tomi is in a league below Conference level.

Sammy could actually be a PL hit.
Click to expand...

Isn't Shola meant to be intelligent? Although if we're talking grades, I wouldn't call an A, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and an E anything special.

#13
Cal., Sep 18, 2011
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“I don’t care who I’m up against – I’ll run against you.”
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Love it. I think the big difference between him and Shola is whereas Shola 'paces himself' during a game (putting it politely), Sammy plays with heart and passion. As an impact sub he can afford to go at it full pelt but it'll be interesting to see if he can keep it up when he becomes a regular starter.

Nile Ranger has missed his chance at being Newcastle's 'hot prospect', Sammy Ameobi has shown already he has not only the talent but the DESIRE to be a Toon legend.

#14
Mod Face, Sep 18, 2011
THE LEFT BOOT OF ROBERT Well-Known Member

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i now love sammy even more love the fact he got an E in french XD

#15
THE LEFT BOOT OF ROBERT, Sep 18, 2011
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Calaye said: ↑

Isn't Shola meant to be intelligent? Although if we're talking grades, I wouldn't call an A, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and an E anything special.
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Compared to most English footballers thats a ****ing PHD. He's no Nedum Onuoha though.

#16
Colly NUFC, Sep 18, 2011
Nobbys Trumpet Active Member

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Calaye said: ↑

Isn't Shola meant to be intelligent? Although if we're talking grades, I wouldn't call an A, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and an E anything special.
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GCSE's only matter if you plan do to something with them. With some people they are just grades to get you into college...and again college results are sometimes a stepping stone for people to get into University.

As for his results, he got very similar to me, I got 4 B's and 9 C's when I was a wee nipper, I then got a B, 2 C's and a D in college but graduated University with a First., Like I said, all were just a stepping stone for me (not that I've done anything with my degree anyways, but hopefully you'll get the picture).

#17
Nobbys Trumpet, Sep 18, 2011
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I love Sammy, I just wish they would start with him.

#18
Gluteus Maximus 1892, Sep 18, 2011
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By the way, did I hear right? It sounded like Newcastle fans singing "Ameobi, over the hill" yesterday, to the tune of "Ryan Taylor, over the wall". Or was I just imagining it?

#19
Gluteus Maximus 1892, Sep 18, 2011
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Calaye said: ↑

Read this at work today, good to hear from him and love his attitude. We need the Ameobi family to adopt all our best youth prospects.

Isn't Shola meant to be intelligent? Although if we're talking grades, I wouldn't call an A, 3 Bs, 6 Cs and an E anything special.
Click to expand...

For a footballer though that's decent! Wonder how many qualifications Ranger has...

I didn't do brilliantly in GCSE either to be honest though Didn't get lower than a C like, but didn't get too many As either...

#20
AH, Sep 18, 2011

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