Former Newcastle Res star is true footballing scholar

Nov 22 2009 Sunday Sun

WHEN Marc Bertram was making his name alongside the likes of Nobby Solano, Shay Given and Obafemi Martins it seemed the teenage Tynesider had the world at his feet.

Feted by boyhood heroes Newcastle United and given a fresh chance to impress by new Magpies’ boss Sam Allardyce, the talented midfielder was a first-team favourite in the making.

Inventive, combative and cool-headed, Bertram had already forged a reputation as one of the brightest stars coming through the Gallowgate ranks.

And alongside big mate Andy Carroll, the kid from West Denton was tipped to make it to the very top with the Toon.

“After I’d finished my GCSEs I signed on as an apprentice with Newcastle for two years,” he explained.

“That meant I went to college for one day a week and played football five days a week.

“I had two great years and played between 30 and 40 games for the reserves under Lee Clark and Adam Sadler.

“I was training with the first-team squad and played three pre-season friendlies under Sam Allardyce at Hartlepool, Carlisle and in front of the TV cameras at Hull.

“But in my second year I suffered a bad injury and tore my cartilage. That required some bone being shaved and I got to the stage where I hadn’t played for four or five months.

“One day I got the call to go and speak to the club’s coaches and they said they didn’t feel I had the physical attributes to play Premiership football.

“It was a bit of a blow but, at the same time, in the circumstances, it was the truth.”

That was the summer of 2008.

Fast forward to November 2009 and Bertram is 18 months into his Team Northumbria career and into the fourth semester of a Sport Development With Coaching degree.

“I’ve been given a great opportunity to develop as a player but at the same time I’m doing a three-year degree which could lead to a different career in sport,” he added.

“And it’s nowhere near as full-on as it was with Newcastle. TN give me the opportunity to express myself as a player, relax when I’m on the pitch and really enjoy my football.

“As a football scholar I get financial and practical support in order to make the most of my studies.