- Newcastle bid farewell to club legend Kieran Trippier
- Trippier’s programme comments you may have missed
- Why Trippier and Newcastle were a match made in heaven
Yesterday’s 3-1 win over West Ham was filled with emotion and memories as Kieran Trippier waved farewell to St James’ Park. The departure marks the end of a four-year stint on Tyneside in which Trippier has changed and shaped the entire mentality of the football club moving forward.
Trippier spoke on multiple occasions before and throughout the day about his exceptional time at the club. He received a special presentation before the match and was involved in a lap of honour alongside fellow departure Emil Krafth at halftime.
But if you weren’t in attendance at the game, one thing you may have missed was Trippier’s heartfelt message to the fans in the day’s programme. His words were a reminder of just how important his Newcastle United journey has been over the past few years.
What did Trippier say?
In a final message to the Newcastle fans, Trippier said, “It’s been an emotional few games since it was announced I’ll be leaving the club this summer. The reaction I’ve got from you, the supporters, has been immense. It just shows that you know I’ve given everything for the club.
“Every game, home or away, whether I’ve come off the bench or not, the appreciation you’ve shown me and singing my name – it’s been incredible. Everyone at the club has been so supportive in these last few weeks, from the top to the bottom, including the manager as well.
“This is where I’ve most felt at home; my daughter was born here, and most importantly, I’m leaving a lot of good people behind. But this is football; players come and go, it’s just part and parcel of the game.
It was a perfect summation of exactly what Newcastle United meant to Kieran Trippier and what Kieran Trippier meant to Newcastle United.
A perfect farewell for a club legend
All things considered, the day was handled exceptionally well by the club, and Trippier got the send-off he deserved.
The first player through the door following the takeover, Trippier was brought in as a talismanic figure to help shift the mentality away from a relegation-battling club. It’s safe to say he did that and more.
He has been the central figure of leadership since his arrival and has played perhaps the most important hand in giving Newcastle fans some of the best days of their lives.
But it also appears Newcastle has been perhaps the most important part of Trippier’s career. The former England international explicitly stated it is where he has felt most at home.
His comments in the programme were a reminder of the feeling Newcastle United can bring when a player fully buys into the club and immerses themselves in the culture surrounding it.
Kieran Trippier is a perfect example of exactly that and will forever be remembered as a hero by the Geordie faithful.
