Newcastle United legend Steve Watson says he is 'delighted' to see the Longstaff brothers emergence at the club.
Watson, marking 30 years since he made his Toon debut as a 16-year-old, revealed that just months before Matty Longstaff made his debut for the club and scored the winner against Manchester United he tried to sign him on loan at Gateshead.
It was a moment for Matty, as it was for Sean in January 2019 against Chelsea, that most young lads across Tyneside can only dream of.
Watson, who made 263 appearances for United, knows exactly how they felt having made his debut in November 1990.
“I’m delighted as anybody to see Sean and Matty come through – absolutely thrilled. I know their dad very well through Alan Thompson, and I’ve met the lads a few times before they made their debuts," he told NUFC.co.uk about the Longstaff brothers.
“Funnily enough, and it’s going to sound crazy now talking about this, but before Matty hit the first team when I was at Gateshead I was asking the question of whether coming out on loan and playing some games might be something he’s willing to do. And then three or four months later he was scoring at St James’ against Manchester United, so I didn’t think there was much chance of that happening!
“I’m thrilled, I'm delighted for them both. It must be fantastic for the two lads, the two brothers, who also look like they’re just best mates as well, to be wearing that shirt. It’s fantastic for them, and I’m delighted.”
