Woodman – why I almost snubbed Toon
ENGLAND Under-20 World Cup hero Freddie Woodman admits he almost rejected the chance to sign for Newcastle United – because his father was on the club’s coaching staff.
The 20-year-old’s father Andy Woodman became Alan Pardew’s goalkeeper coach at United in 2010, and hoped to lure his son to Tyneside too.
But then-14-year-old Freddie was worried people would think he had only been handed a contract as his father was on the payroll.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Woodman – who saved a crucial penalty during England Under-20s’ World Cup final victory over Venezuela in South Korea earlier this month – said of his initial doubts of signing for Newcastle: “I didn’t want to be the one that people said, ‘He’s only here because of his dad.’
“I look back and realise how stupid a thought that was. Working with him was one of the best things that happened to me.
“Firstly, he is the best coach I have worked with.
“I also need to pay a lot of respect to first-team goalie Tim Krul, who has done so much for me.
“He was like my on-field coach, and my dad would teach me all the off-the-pitch stuff.”
When Woodman, who grew up in Croydon, first journeyed up to Newcastle, there was snow in the air and he was worried about losing contact with his friends.
“My first visit to Newcastle, it was snowing,” Woodman added. “I knew I’d lose a lot of the friends I’d made at school in south London.
“Then I saw the stadium and was just blown away. I was like, ‘I need to sign for this club.’”
Woodman Snr has just landed a dream role as goalkeeper coach for Arsenal’s Under-23 side, sparking some fears that his son – heavily linked with the Gunners in the past – could follow him to north London.
But the Magpies are keen to hold on to a prospect who they have tied down to a contract which runs for another three years.