It's not often that a striker with a spotty scoring record leaves a club and receives nothing but well wishes on his way out.
But that's what happened to Leon Best when he departed Newcastle United for Blackburn Rovers this week, which speaks to the unique relationship between Newcastle fans and the likable Best.
Best scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Newcastle, a record that is slightly misleading because of the English-born Irish striker's frequent injury problems. That said, Best will never be mistaken for Papiss Cisse when it comes to scoring prowess. He is - and most likely will always be - an inconsistent finisher.
However, Best has other qualities that endeared him to Newcastle fans during his two and a half years at St. James' Park. He's effective in the air, has better feet than you'd expect and had one of the better work rates among United's strikers. He also never complained about how much - or where - he was playing.
And then there was the #LeonBestIsMint craze that originated with the boys over at Shiteseats. It went into overdrive when Best scored a hat trick in his first Premier League start for Newcastle (a game I watched with a non-soccer fan friend in a bar in Springfield, Mo., prompting him to proclaim that Best was his favorite soccer player). Suddenly Best's non-existent first year at Newcastle didn't matter.
We all knew in the back of our minds, though, that if Newcastle was to continue the progression that began last season, it would need to upgrade on the fringes of its squad. And with Best only having a year left on his contract - and coming off another injury-halted season - selling him was a no-brainer - particularly when Blackburn offered more than £3 million, said to be more than double what Newcastle paid for him in 2010.
Blackburn is such a poorly run club these days, so its relegation at the end of last season felt justified. But I, along with plenty of other Newcastle fans, will be glad to see Rovers celebrating their Premiership return next spring if it means Best has scored the goals to get them there.
A 'bar in Springfield, Mo'? Did someone phone and ask for Amanda Huggenkiss ?
Posted by: geordiepat | 07/04/2012 at 02:29 PM
I must Admit i do have fond memories of Leon Best.
and im a little gutted to see him leave.
watching him week in and week out i noticed one thing. his work rate.
he work rate and area he covered was second to none, Demba Bas goals were facilitated by Leon's assists.
i also have my own fond memories of Leon against West Ham.
Here in the North East we have a radio station called Real Radio, you can find it online, the commentate(or used to) on the games the local teams play. we have three former players called the "Three Legends" Super Mac Malcolm MAcdonald(Newcastle United), Burney Slaven (Middlesbrough) and Mickey Horseswill(Sunderland)
i had watched Leon Best play the previous game, away at Birmingham City if my memory proves me right, and he had a great game, he came to scoring more than a hat full.
before the West Ham game, SuperMac gave Leon a battering, he stripped him of the right to be a footballer.
i was sat in the car as my father drove and i got quite agitated, "hes going to score a hat trick today i can tell you that one" my father just laughed "he cant even score one let alone three" he replied
i could feel in in my bones.
i got to the match and when the team sheet was announced and Leon Best was getting a start people grumbled, with my friend sat behind me i said "he going to score a hat trick today"
He laughed.
about 30 people around me just looked at me in amazement.
i said again "he is going to score a hat trick i can feel it in my bones"
some guy about two rows away shout "you should get that arthritis sorted mate cos Loen isn't going to score any hat trick today"
i wasn't happy.
the match started and Leon was playing like a Whippet in heat, he was every where, He scores, i look around,
i turn to my mate, "hes going to score a hat trick im telling you"
the second goal goes in and about 10 of us run to the bookies to place a bet but the bookies wont accept any bet on Leon scoring a Hat trick.
Leon did get his Hat Trick that day, and i know how to trust my gut instinct.
and not only do i wish him well i wish him all the best....All the Leon Best.
a player in my opinion who is under rated and under valued and worth every penny of the £3 million paid to Newcastle United.
Good Luck Leon and all the Best mate
Posted by: The Geordie Prophet | 07/04/2012 at 02:38 PM
Yeah man, all the best. Would've made a useful squad player, especially with the potential extra games of this coming season. Hopefully he'll get regular football at Blackburn and we'll make the most of the £3m.
Posted by: billyjoelismint | 07/04/2012 at 03:29 PM
That photo brought a smile to my face. KC was such a blast last summer!
Posted by: Rob | 07/04/2012 at 08:36 PM
I still want to see this time get a bit more Irish, but for now a good move for the 3 mil.
Best is probably the player who will be excellent in the Championship and a fringe guy in the Premier League (read: Marlon Harewood) If he stays healthy I can see him pouring in about 15 goals this year for the Rovers.
Posted by: Dave From Newcastle | 07/05/2012 at 08:30 AM
All the best to Leon. I always liked him as a player and I agree, he had a fantastic work rate. Although he won't score 20+ goals per year, you know when he is on the pitch you will get 110% effort. I too hope Leon will catapult Blackburn back into the Premier League next season. best wishes to Leon and thanks for what you did for us in your time at Newcastle.
Posted by: Ryan | 07/06/2012 at 07:52 AM