Newcastle star Rob Elliot is very much in love with Newcastle
And not even the fickle world of football will spoil it for the Newcastle keeper.
Greenwich-born Elliot spent most of the first 25 years of his life living in Kent with little thought of moving on.
Then in 2011, he joined Newcastle and his life was changed forever.
Elliot was smitten with this new world, so much so that earlier this year, he sat down in the house he shares with wife Robyn and kids Max and Oa and made a decision.
Cullercoats, a seaside village just eight miles from the City Centre, was to be home for the rest of their lives.
No matter where his career took him, Elliot planned to put down roots in a region 300 miles from where he was brought up.
Rafa was always very open with me
Newcastle star Rob Elliot
Even when it looked as if he may have to leave the Magpies for regular first team football, his mind was made up.
He’d spent the summer wondering whether former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina, a player he’s admired from afar, would be leaving Napoli to link up with Rafa Benitez again.
“Rafa was always very open with me,” said the 31-year-old, who is yet to play 50 games for the club he’s served for over six years.
“It would have been a tough one. I had no issue on a professional level but had I been told, I was likely to spend the whole season on the bench, I’d probably have looked elsewhere.
“Nothing materialised and when the transfer window shut, suddenly I could see the road ahead.
“All the uncertainty had gone and I could really kick on. I’ve been at Newcastle a long time now and haven’t played the number of games I’d have liked for a variety of reasons.
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“So starting this season as No. 1 is huge, a massive opportunity.”
Elliot admits leaving Newcastle would break his heart.
“That’s no exaggeration. Robyn and I love it here and that’s not typical football-speak.
“We didn’t know what to expect when we came up here but we’ve been amazed by the place.
“Newcastle and the surrounding area ticks all the boxes – beautiful countryside, National Parks, the best coastline anywhere.
“And most importantly, a community feel I’ve never experienced before. You feel you are part of it, not just passing by.
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“That’s why we never want to leave. We’re settled. This is where we want our kids to be brought up and the place we want to live for the next ten, 20, 30, 40 years.
“Even my mum has bought a house near us. She retired from teaching after 25 years and is starting a new life here, to be close to her grandchildren. Like us, she’s fallen for the place.”
But isn’t it a risk for a footballer to commit himself so steadfastly to a region?
“We’ve talked about that,” adds Elliot. “In January, I may be transferred to the other side of the world but this is where we live.
“Regardless of what happens, this will always be home.
“If I have to commute on a daily basis, so be it. Cullercoats is base from now on.”
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Right now, Elliot’s professional life is proving as joyful as his personal life with the Toon heading to Brighton tomorrow in fourth place and looking for a fourth straight win.
Elliot said: “The big thing is we’ve got a squad of players who all want to be here – and that’s something you couldn’t always say.
“That’s reflected in our recent results.
“I can even live with being the oldie in a very young squad even though it has its drawbacks.
“I know I’m not the coolest footballer in the world but I keep reading in the matchday programme I’m the worst dresser in the club. That’s taking it a bit far!”
