Opinion: Either Love him or hate him Much, you can never ignore Craig Bellamy history
Craig Bellamy is renowned as one of the most passionate and dynamic players ever to don Newcastle United’s iconic black and white stripes.
His aggressive style and unyielding spirit place him among club legends like Terry Hibbitt and Hughie Gallacher.
Bellamy joined Newcastle United in 2001 for £6.5 million after a brief Premier League stint with Coventry City.
His performance at Coventry hadn’t been stellar, leading many pundits and fans to question the substantial investment made by Sir Bobby Robson.
Bellamy quickly silenced his critics by demonstrating his exceptional pace and tenacity.
In the 2001/02 pre-season, Newcastle competed in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, reaching the final and showcasing impressive fitness levels.
As the season commenced, Newcastle played exceptional football, thanks to another significant signing, Laurent Robert.
With talents like Nobby Solano, Gary Speed, Kieron Dyer, and the legendary Alan Shearer, the team began to flourish.
Bellamy developed a remarkable partnership with Shearer, arguably one of the best in Newcastle’s history.
Bellamy’s anticipation, positional awareness, and tireless work rate endeared him to the Gallowgate faithful.
His knack for scoring crucial goals and his unyielding presence in significant matches made him a fan favorite.
During the first half of the 2001/02 season, Newcastle defeated top teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Leeds United, and topped the Premier League table on Christmas Day 2001.
2001/02 Season Highlights
Despite an injury sidelining Bellamy for the final three months, he and Shearer scored a combined 41 goals in all competitions during the 2001/02 season.
Newcastle finished fourth in the Premier League, and Bellamy was honored with the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Bellamy understood the significance of the Tyne-Wear derby and often delivered standout performances against Sunderland.
However, his fiery temperament sometimes overshadowed his natural talent.
The volatile nature of Bellamy’s character eventually led to clashes, most notably with Newcastle captain Alan Shearer and manager Graeme Souness.
A significant altercation occurred after a match against Charlton Athletic, followed by a training ground confrontation.
The dispute appeared resolved but reignited in January 2005 when Bellamy allegedly faked an injury to avoid playing out of position. This incident gave Souness the pretext to offload Bellamy, leading to his loan to Celtic.
Final Days at Newcastle
While at Celtic, Bellamy engaged in a public spat with Shearer following Newcastle’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United.
This effectively ended any chance of his return to Newcastle, and in the summer of 2005, Bellamy moved to Blackburn Rovers in a permanent deal.
During his time at Newcastle, Bellamy scored 43 goals and provided numerous assists in 128 appearances.
His performance against Feyenoord in the Champions League earned him the title “Hero of Rotterdam.” Despite his injuries and controversies, Bellamy’s talent was undeniable.
After leaving Newcastle, Bellamy played for Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City, and his hometown club Cardiff City.
He is currently Vincent Kompany’s assistant at Burnley, and there are rumors that the duo is being considered for prestigious managerial roles at Bayern Munich.
Craig Bellamy’s tenure at Newcastle United was marked by brilliance and controversy. His fiery passion and undeniable skill made him a memorable figure in the club’s history.
Love him or hate him, Craig Bellamy remains an unforgettable character in football.
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