Toon will need to dig Deep in January if they are to succeed

Nov 22 2009 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

HE never wanted to leave Newcastle United, so neither wonder Ian Bogie’s loyalty and affection for the club remain as steadfast as ever.

Why else – though he counts Preston North End among his other past employers – will he be rooting for the Magpies tomorrow night?

Why else – with a recommendation to strengthen the St James’ squad by at least two players in January – is he adamant United will continue their march back to the Premier League?

He could have felt differently, of course.

Having been mentioned in the same breath as Paul Gascoigne – by Gascoigne himself, no less – Bogie was effectively forced out of his hometown club when Jim Smith opted for experience over exuberance.

He is far from bitter, however, and refuses to dwell on what might have been, given that Smith’s successor Osvaldo Ardiles famously put his faith in youth.

By then Bogie – now doing great things as manager of Gateshead – was gone, and discovering Deepdale – and its artificial pitch – to his liking.

So another reason his allegiances might understandably have shifted.

But United runs deep in Bogie, and his first love endures.

“Newcastle are my club, they always will be,” Bogie said.

“Managing Gateshead means I don’t get to see them too much – the only game I’ve seen this season was the Carling Cup match against Huddersfield Town.

“But theirs is the first result I look for and, although I look for Preston’s as well, if you’re asking me who I want to win tomorrow it’s Newcastle, no doubt.

“I grew up watching them, had the great honour of playing for the club and they’re still very important to me.”