TOON REJECTION HURT

THE Longstaff brothers are not the only talented sports stars in their family.

Dad David, a GB ice hockey player with more than 100 caps, is player-coach at Whitley Warriors and regularly turns out aged 45.

And the Longstaffs’ younger sister Milly is a highly regarded netball player, who has county honours.

“She’s probably the best sporting one in the family,” says Matty. “Just a lot lazier!”

Sean adds: “Milly’s great. She’s been dragged around training and to football ever since she was three.

“Like Matty says, she’s probably a bit lazier than us but we say to her, ‘We’ve done our little bit, it’s up to you now!’

“It can be tough for her when she goes to school and everyone is speaking about me or him.

“She gets more embarrassed than we do and goes into her shell when she sees us or dad walk in, but hopefully she can make it all the way.” MATTY LONGSTAFF grimaces when recalling the day his beloved Newcastle told him he would never make it. He was still at primary school when his Toon dream was shattered. “It was one of the toughest things you can go through as a kid,” Matty says.

“I finally got my chance and it was a four-week thing, and then they pulled me to one side and said, ‘Thanks for coming but we’re not going to keep you’.

“It really p **** d me off and I walked out crying but it probably fired me up.

“Looking back, being able to do what I’ve done since then, it all comes from that moment.

“I had more fire in my belly and didn’t want to be rejected ever again.

“Sunderland and Boro asked me again to play for them but I said no. There was only one club for me and thankfully, I got back into the set-up. It was a pretty good feeling.”