Matt Ritchie (now playing for Portsmouth)

[Geordie Ahmed]

Was really good for us in The Championship, solid for a little bit after but really should have been gone a long time ago

 

Definitely thank him for his service and wish him well

[sempuki]

Arguably the most important player of our promotion season. Hope he gets a decent move, probably to the South Coast.

[Newcastle Fan]

He did the job we bought him in to do and was a good servant and pro to the club, keeping him on for the season was a bit silly but he will be remembered fondly.

[joeyt]

 

 

 

[Bondedcrown]

22 minutes ago, frankpingel said:

Longstaff, Miggy and Burn (at LB) we've already got it covered man.

[Miggys First Goal]

Wil miss him slapping players on the back of their heads. 

[GavMcEl]

46 minutes ago, frankpingel said:

Definitely fondly remembered by me. Considering the other's being released he was good value and a character

Agree with this, one of our most consistent players from 16-19 and was a good servant 

[TBG]

Better goals to game ratio than Barnes this season.

[PauloGeordio]

Some good memories. Keep on trucking Matt. 

[joeyt]

There was a great article about how he helped get Longstaff some professional help when he was struggling a few years ago. 

 

He also famously had a bust up with Steve Bruce.

 

He was great in the championship and had good moments in the Prem, even at left wing back under Rafa

 

Hope he gets a good club 

[Terrymac1966]

Very good professional...hope he leaves his magic hat for someone 👍

[midds]

More than served his purpose when he signed and was worth every penny in the end. Some immense contributions all things considered but as soon as we got the takeover he was always going to be phased out. Even then, you could tell he was a big, positive influence in the dressing room and in the squad in general - never complained and seemed to be one of the dads of the group, you 100% need players like him in the squad It's also pretty obvious that as he's aged his legs have all but gone at PL level but I hope he either sticks around as a coach up here or continues playing at a lower level.

 

Would be a real shame if his career up here is remembered for some of his most recent performances, he was a little gem in those first 3 seasons

[Gottlob]

I'll always remember Matt Ritchie as a pugnacious fellow. One of several players to be dubbed 'the Scottish Messi' after Barry Bannon, Ryan Gauld and little Jimmy Griffin, in truth he never quite reached those heights but he plied his trade with aplomb even if that was more in the sandpapering vein than fine carpentry. I can still picture him with bloodshot eyes racing towards the corner flag as if the whole world along with it best stay out of his way, only for him to be mobbed by his adoring teammates. He was signed for what wasn't a paltry fee ahead of our Championship season, and proved useful.

[nufcjb]

Have to be honest, I'm quite sad. He's a bloke who will always seem to be there for others. Many times we would see him on the pitch after a match has ended and talking to others, especially the young or new ones. Howe definitely appreciated having Ritchie being around and he was professional enough to get on with his job despite not playing regularly.

 

He's a legend in my books for standing up to the Geordie fraud Steve Bruce and calling him a coward or whatever it was that he called him.

 

Thanks for your contributions. Hope you come back in some capacity in the future.

 

 

Edited May 29, 2024 by nufcjb

[Guybrush]

Corner flags across the North East breathe a sigh of relief 

[toontownman]

Like dummett he has been a good servant to the club. Best of luck to him finishing out his career.

[Shearergol]

Hope he does really well somewhere else. Glad there's never a chance of him coming on in a Newcastle shirt now though.

 

Can't hate him, just not good enough these days. I feel like today is a bit of a turning point for us.

[Kid Icarus]

Who was it that had the 'flags die God laughs' avatar? Quite often remember that and laugh more than I probably should. 

[Kid Icarus]

Anyway, I don't care what anyone says, I fucking loved him. Probably part fuelled by me tuning out of the Bruce years just as much as it's fueled by the Rafa years like, but I was really fond of him nonetheless. 

[BlazeT44]

Can see him coming back to SJP in some capacity if Eddie Howe remains as a coach (maybe u18s/21s etc). 

 

Clearly he's thought of as a great professional and role model.

[Checko]

I always liked Ritchie, worked hard, very competitive. Saw an interview with one of our players who mentioned how good he was at helping the younger players.

 

It is time now though for him to be put out to stud and focus on creating the next generation of Eddie Howe Mini-Me's.

[Kanj]

His little video made me well up a bit; what a great man. 

[nufc123]

Jobs done. Top professional.

[Holloway]

Canny bloke, passion personified. Best of luck

[Pilko]

I saw someone on Twitter saying he'd be remembered in a similar bracket to Nolan in years to come but I think he's given a lot more to the cause than that, not just in terms of tenure either.

 

Can sort of see why - got us back up, helped us consolidate, difference is he hung around / wasn't moved on. But I think Ritchie was much more of a leader and a grafter and better behind the scenes.

 

Best of luck to the radge bastard. Would love to see him back coaching or as an ambassador one day.