Newcastle United's latest signing is a real masterstroke
It may have been an unprecedented move by Newcastle United when they unveiled chief scout Graham Carr this week as a long-term signing.
However, while eyebrows were raised elsewhere if anything it proved to be something of a PR masterstroke.
Without telling the rest of the football world Newcastle's summer shortlist, Carr gave a great insight to just where the Magpies currently are under Mike Ashley.
And almost three years to the day that United were the target of cruel taunts from those outside of Newcastle after putting the club up for sale via an email address in the aftermath of relegation, it is a fair bet that there are plenty of clubs now that envy the current position of the black and whites.
It was quite reassuring to know that United have put so much faith in Carr when it comes to transfers - a Geordie through and through who is hell-bent on not wasting a penny of Alan Pardew's signing kitty.
As part of his interview with the Chronicle this week, he said: "I couldn't live with myself if I did, you don't want to let down your own people."
In fairness after helping bring Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, Cheick Tiote and Papiss Cisse to Tyneside, most fans would probably forgive Carr if he did.
Yet it's fair to say that Newcastle will no longer be wasting money on "stars" like Geremi, Marcelino, Albert Luque or Silvio Maric when thousands was wasted on players on the back of advice from agents - instead thorough homework and research will be carried out on incoming players.
And at a club when communication in the past has been about as alien to the board as drinking in moderation is to the Toon Army on an away day, Carr's words this week made a refreshing change and should be applauded.
Most chief scouts wouldn't get their stint in the limelight but for Carr it was fully deserved.
Carr was even a trending topic on Twitter no less, but said: "It's lovely to be made welcome.
"But I'm not a Tweeter.
"I'm just really pleased the club are in good hands and it is all positive."
We're told that the Magpies owner does not want to sell any of his stars this summer.
Only time will tell as far as that is concerned, although if the quality that comes in to replace is anything to go by perhaps United are in good hands if Carr's work continues alongside Alan Pardew and Ashley.
With an eight year deal penned this week for Carr many fans will be hoping for more of the same.
And thankfully so will the man who has black and white blood running through his veins in Geordie scout Graham Carr.
Older/Newer
« Hughton set to get a Geordie reception he'll never forget | Demba Ba must pick love or money »
Profile
Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
Latest Premier League video
Email alerts
In association with
Follow my RSS feed
Follow me on
