Newcastle United face Fulham on Saturday, or ‘Full-ham’ if you’re fictional forward Santiago Munez.
The Magpies’ Premier League clash with the Cottagers brings back memories of 2005 film Goal!, with the final moments seeing main character Santiago Munez rejoicing at the news that his late father saw him play for Newcastle United against Fulham after being unsupportive towards his football, or soccer, career.
Having taken a telephone call on the St James’ Park pitch after securing Champions League qualification, Munez said to his agent and close friend Glen Foy: “Hey Glen, you know when I played against Fulham [pronounced Full-ham]? My dad saw the game! He saw me play, man!”
The film ends as Munoz, played by Kuno Becker, roars in celebration, as Newcastle United supporters exit St James’ Park. For a team that has just qualified for the Champions League, the celebrations are nothing like when Eddie Howe and his team got the job done.
What really happened in the Fulham game that Goal! used
In the Fulham match in the film, Munez comes on to make his professional debut. He wins a penalty after an incredible solo run, playing a pivotal role in Newcastle United’s win at Craven Cottage.
While the clips of Munez running through on goal are full of actors, there is actual footage of the Magpies playing against Fulham in West London.
The clips are used from a game that the Magpies also won, beating the Cottagers 3-1 in May 2005. Goals came from Darren Ambrose, Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi, as opposed to a dramatised Gavin Harris penalty.
But while the film saw Newcastle take a giant stride towards the Champions League, the reality of the 2004/05 season saw them finish way down in 14th place.
What Malick Thiaw said about Goal! after joining Newcastle United
The Goal! films are iconic, but they are also hilariously bad on reflection.
However, it is a bit of a cult classic, and it is surprising how many footballers are aware of Newcastle United because of it.
For instance, Malick Thiaw referenced Goal! during his first interview after joining the club this summer from AC Milan.
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“I think because it’s a big club everybody knows a bit about Newcastle,” he said.
“Also the movie Goal! was the first contact I got with Newcastle when I was really, really small.
“I was around eight or nine. I watched it a lot of times.”
No matter how small a role it may have played, the Toon are indebted to the Goal! film for helping bring Thiaw to Tyneside. He is arguably Newcastle United’s signing of the summer, just pipping Nick Woltemade to top spot.
The 24-year-old has been immense in black and white, and is almost certain to start when Eddie Howe’s side take on Full-ham on Saturday.
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