Friends help out ex-Newcastle star McNamee

Mar 7 2010 by Lisa Hutchinson, Sunday Sun

FORMER Newcastle United favourite John McNamee took time out from his flood-hit home yesterday to join pals on the terraces at St James’ Park.

John was one of the hundreds caught up in the Cumbrian floods disaster in November, which left a multi-million pound trail of devastation and cost police officer Bill Barker his life.

The 1960s Toon hard man was told it would be at least six months before he could move back into his town centre home in Cockermouth, but his pals back on Tyneside have decided it is time for a treat to keep his spirits up.

Members of the Fairs Cup group, set up to honour the 1969 cup winners - who included John - offered him the invite to watch the Barnsley match yesterday which United won 6–1. And the fed-up ex-centre half jumped at the chance.

He said: “Being at the match has taken my mind off things. The house is just a shell and it won’t be finished for another three months or so. It needs to be plastered throughout, new windows, doors and floors.

“I’m walking around like a hobo at the minute as I lost my shoes and coats in the flood and my other clothes are upstairs and I can’t get to them.”

John, who was part of the famous team who brought the Fairs Cup to Tyneside in 1969, has lived in Cockermouth since retiring from football.

Water reached almost 2m up the walls at his home but the miniature version of the Fairs Cup that he treasures was not damaged.

John has moved in with a friend in Cockermouth while work gets under way on his house.

Bill Gibbs, 59, of Wallsend, North Tyneside, a founder member of the Fairs Cup group, said: “We thought John needed a bit of a pick-me-up.

“He hasn’t been to a match here since his house was flooded so this is a bit of down time he deserves.

“We can relive the moments we shared when he was a player and we can have a drink at half-time.”

Bill’s daughter Angela gave up her seat so John could sit next to her dad yesterday.

John added: “The last time I was at St James’ Park was in May for the Fairs Cup dinner. It brought memories flooding back when I saw the boys run out onto the park.

“The stadium was different to when I used to play there, but it still has the same atmosphere. In fact, I wouldn’t mind playing again.”