Toon kid Sean’s hoping to rock Blackpool
LOAN STAR OFF MARK WITH FIRST GOAL FOR NEW CLUB
NEWCASTLE United youngster Sean Longstaff is catching the eye during his loan spell with League One outfit Blackpool.
The Tyneside-born teenager was the toast of Bloomfield Road at the weekend after netting the winner against MK Dons with a well-taken goal to get him off the mark in the EFL.
Longstaff, arguably one of Newcastle’s best young prospects, signed a new deal with the Magpies in the summer after attracting plenty of interest from other clubs – including Premier League AFC Bournemouth, who felt they could offer him a career path under Eddie Howe.
Longstaff , though, stayed with the Magpies and is now looking to build on a solid season with Kilmarnock on loan last year.
His aims for the first part of the 2017/18 season are to gain regular game-time with the Seasiders under Gary Bowyer before Newcastle assess him in January and decide his next step.
At 6ft 2in, Longstaff is already capable of winning midfield battles but his excellent technical skills make him one of the best passers in his age range.
As he proved MK Dons, he also has an eye for goal.
His winning strike will come as no surprise to those who watched him work his way from the Academy to the under-23s at Newcastle, the former North Shields Athletic Junior netting goals galore along the way.
Now, though, his main challenge is to show he can perform regularly at senior level.
His latest manager and mentor Bowyer, who guided crisis club Blackpool back to League One last season via the play-offs, said: “Sean Longstaff is a lovely footballer.
“I said to him he is going to be a heck of a footballer when he grows.
“We have to look after that in terms of picking the right games for him to play, but he has a great future ahead of him.”
Longstaff knows only a good attitude will allow him to succeed in the cut and thrust world of professional football.
Yet after growing up watching his dad David achieve a host of top honours as a pro ice hockey player – as well as playing for Great Britain – Longstaff knows only hard work will help him achieve his dreams.
His uncle, former United and Celtic man Alan Thompson, is also on hand to offer sound advice if he ever needs it.
Longstaff junior, speaking at a club media call said: “I think it is about playing games and playing well.
“Hopefully the people at Newcastle will take note and I can help Blackpool get back to where they were two years ago.
“It is all about playing games and winning games.
“I cannot think about whether Newcastle are watching me in games or not. What it is about is performing every week and being as consistent as possible.
“I was a bit nervous coming here from Newcastle, but the lads have made it easy for me to settle in.
“Playing Academy football with Newcastle was good but in those games the result does not matter – but it matters at this level.
“When I was assessing my options for a loan move, the way we play was the reason I came.”