When Paul Dummett first emerged into the first team picture, many fans questioned whether the full-back was good enough to play for Newcastle United.
He was a youngster, and prone to mistakes that come with the tender age and lack of experience.
Roll on a few years, and we now have a player who leads by example, is a great role-model for younger players and fans alike, and is reliable by putting in consistent performances week after week.
But above all else, his commitment to Newcastle is the reason he has endeared himself to the fans – including those who may have doubted him in his early years.
Explaining his decision to withdraw himself from selection for the Wales national squad, Dummett told the Chronicle: “It was obviously a difficult decision because playing for your country is an honour.
“But I have had my fair share of injuries over time and I just felt that coming at this time of my career I want to play for Newcastle and earn a new contract here.
“My main focus is to be fit playing for Newcastle and stay here for the rest of my career.”
It is precisely this attitude that now makes him a fan-favourite.
If only previous signings had Paul Dummett’s attitude
It is quite ironic to hear the words of Dummett, putting Newcastle first, and emphasising his desire to play for the football club, while the national headlines are taken up by a mercenary player who felt the polar opposite.
On the whole, we now seem to have a bunch who care about the club, and are playing here because they actually want to be here.
And if Newcastle can see 11 players pulling on the jersey each week, who all feel the same as Dummett clearly does, we could finally have a squad fans can relate to and fully get behind.
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