We’re lucky to have had him ... just a diamond
BEARDO REMEMBERS GEORDIE LEGEND WHO WON FANS OVER
PETER Beardsley has spoken about the importance of keeping the memory of Pavel Srnicek alive after starring in a tribute game for the Czech great over the weekend.
The Newcastle United and England legend rolled back the years and scored a well-taken goal in a 7-4 win while also laying on a host of chances for his team-mates as a Toon old boys XI wooed a strong crowd.
Beardsley played alongside Srnicek during the Entertainers era under Kevin Keegan and was also reunited with former team-mates such as Steve Howey, Steve Watson, Steve Harper and Paul Brayson.
Beardsley was one of a number of explayers who gave their time up for nothing to help raise funds for St Oswald’s Hospice for the third year running.
After the game, Beardsley told the Chronicle: “The Entertainers were a brilliant side, not because of me or anybody else, just people appreciated it because they simply realised we were a team. “They knew how good we were and enjoyed to watch us. “People keep saying, ‘It was a pleasure to watch.’ Well, you imagine what it was like for us actually play in. “I’m 57 now but the chance to run around for Pav was an amazing thing. “That’s why we keep coming back. “Football is a special game but the best players know what to do and when to do it. “Pav knew that. He knew when to come from crosses, stay on the line or come out and punch. “That is a skill that a goalkeeper knows. “Pav had a language problem when he first came but he soon got over it.” Fans donned ‘Pavel is a Geordie’ t-shirts at the game in Dunston and Beardsley feels it was a testament to the type of character the former Czech star was during his time on Tyneside. Beardsley added: “He was just a brilliant person and so warm-hearted. “He would help anybody in any walk of
He understood the people and you see fans still now with ‘Pavel is a Geordie’ t-shirts on and he was a credit Peter Beardsley
life, he was just a diamond. We’re lucky to have had him because everything he did for our club was very good and positive.
“He understood the people and you see fans still now with ‘Pavel is a Geordie’ t-shirts on and he was a credit. “That speaks for itself.” Beardsley also believes that Srnicek was ahead of his time in terms of style of play.
The former Toon star added: “When I first came back to Newcastle with Kevin, Pav was the goalie and Pav always wanted to join in the game from the back.
“When the ball the ball went back to him he wanted to be doing Cruyff turns and Kevin used to say, ‘Just stand and enjoy it.’
“Pav quickly realised what he was watching was really special.
“Pav was brilliant and the most agile keeper I ever saw without a doubt.
“He was also two-footed and he worked hard to make himself better.
“He was also a brilliant person.
“In the modern game that’s what you need, so maybe he was ahead of his time.
“You look at Jordan Pickford at the moment he can ping the ball, and out of the three keepers who are away with England there’s nothing between them but Pickford is a better user of the ball. It is a massive part.
“Pav was caught between two stools because when he started it was before the backpass rule and you could pick the ball up. So he had to change mid-career.”