[quote=Colly post_id=860120 time=1560358378 user_id=125]
Willo for England was definitely just #bantz.
[/quote]

As a Scotland supporter, I feel the need to clarify my support was genuine.

[quote=Colly post_id=860120 time=1560358378 user_id=125]
Willo for England was definitely just #bantz.
[/quote]
Seconded. Definitely a good joke - but anyone thinking that definitely needed to watch more non-Newcastle football, or possibly, watch Willo more closely.

Willo for England was definitely just #bantz.

Wasn't there a decent backing for Williamson to play for England at one point? From our fans, obviously. There's always going to be massive bias to want our homegrown players to represent the home nations, Longstaff the latest - although so far he seems to posses a decent amount of talent. My point being, Williamson occasionally hit a good patch of form, even if it was mostly just doing the simple stuff right 9/10. Very limited in terms of ability, but never looked half arsed.

Looks like Woodgate is taking over at Middlesborough. I think Nolan, Barton and Bowyer ( <diva> ) are still knocking about managerial in the lower leagues. Maybe Lee Clark too. I wonder if there are any other ex-mags cutting their teeth in the management game?

Exactly. There's a mindset among some football fans that unless you're a club legend you're a bit of a joke. Aaron Hughes retired today, and I bet you wont hear a bad word from fans who actually watched him play week in week out at any of his clubs, despite not being exactly spectacular anywhere.

[quote=Colly post_id=860100 time=1560287096 user_id=125]
Limited, but did his job and did it well. Love Big Mike.
[/quote]
I think it highlights that being loved and being a great player can be mutually exclusive. I'll admit I had a lot of misgivings with him as a centre back, I think just because his limitations were things that happen to aggravate me as a football fan, but I never questioned his effort, and thought him a really nice, committed guy, so I look back fondly on him, even if I never thought him good enough to be first choice.

Limited, but did his job and did it well. Love Big Mike.

[quote=Chappy post_id=860091 time=1560283057 user_id=1349]
Much loved? <scratch>
[/quote]

Championship season when he took over from Saylor to keep us going and our first season back in the Prem as well as the season we finished 5th he did very well.

People have short memories.

[quote=Chappy post_id=860091 time=1560283057 user_id=1349]
Much loved? <scratch>
[/quote]

Ah Iron Mike, served a purpose for a season or two. Did he ever manage a goal from one of Pardew’s corner routines?

Much loved? <scratch>

Happy to see Gateshead fans seeing progress again and sounding more optimistic. I'm hoping for the best for everyone involved with the club.

Was fantastic last season as a player and a coach, great that Busted us back too, things are starting to look up after the hardest couple of season I've ever had as a fan.

Great news from Gateshead today.

Much loved former NUFC centre half Iron Mike Williamson has been named Gateshead manager!

https://twitter.com/GatesheadFC/status/1138428854643634177