David McCreery has noticed a 'positive change' in culture at Newcastle United's academy after returning to the club to give a talk to the Magpies' future stars.
McCreery was back on Tyneside last week after academy coach Neil Winskill reached out to ask the former Northern Ireland international to speak to Newcastle under-18s about his career.
McCreery was actually Winskill's hero growing up and Newcastle's lead under-18 coach even had the number four stitched on the back of his first club shirt in tribute to his idol.
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The club's current crop of youngsters were not even born when 'Davey Mac' was playing alongside Kevin Keegan, Chris Waddle, Terry McDermott and Peter Beardsley when the Magpies won promotion back in 1984, but they soon learned why he remains such a cult figure for supporters.
There have been few more committed players in the club's recent history and McCreery's wholehearted displays in the middle of the park made him a fans' favourite during his seven-year spell at St James' Park.
That is not to say that McCreery could not play, though; this is a man who once coolly performed a drag back as Brazil star Socrates went to close him down during the 1986 World Cup, after all.
As well as having a distinguished playing career, McCreery has served as a manager, consultant, technical director and vice-president at clubs and organisations around the world since retiring.
Perhaps, then, it is easy to see why Winskill and academy chief Steve Harper were keen to welcome McCreery back as the former midfielder reconnected with the club.
"First time since I left club that I felt engaged with it again," McCreery wrote on Twitter.
"I noticed a positive change in culture and atmosphere from previous years at the academy. Thanks also to Steve Harper for the welcome."
