Ramage: It’s a dream come true to be back in Toon
PETER Ramage insists it was always in the back of his mind that he wanted to return to Newcastle United.
Having broken through the club’s youth system, Ramage spent four seasons as part of the Magpies’ first-team set-up between 2004 and 2008.
He would go on to enjoy spells as a player with QPR, Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Barnsley, Coventry, Leyton Orient, Kerala Blasters and Phoenix Rising before returning to Newcastle as an under-13s’ coach at the club’s academy.
Ramage then returned to Phoenix Rising to become the club’s assistant manager in 2018 and, after a successful spell in Arizona, is now returning to Tyneside to take up an assistant coach’s role with the Magpies’ under-23 side.
He said: “Having come through the ranks as a player and having started my coaching career there with the under-13s, I know it is an old saying but it is a dream come true to be coming back to the club again.
“I am from the area, my family is from the area and I have never really hidden the fact it is my club
– so when I left in July 2018 I always had it in the back of my mind I wanted to return.
“I have had a great experience out here in Phoenix.
“They have helped me develop as a coach and now feels like the right time to come back.”
Ramage is hoping his familiarity with Newcastle’s set-up, and the familiar faces within the academy will help him settle back into the club – and he is also looking forward to working alongside under23s’ boss Chris Hogg.
He added: “There will be no bedding-in period.
“It is going to be great for me and also a great learning curve as well because things will have changed over the last two years.
“Like everything, things evolve, but at least I have friendly faces to help me with the transition into the role.
“I am looking forward to seeing the guys again and getting the boots dirty and getting on the grass with them.
“From speaking to Chris, he did not have much time before lockdown in March so it is still all new for him, which I think could be great for the both of us.
“I had not really come across Chris prior to rejoining but we seem to have the same mindset in terms of how we like to coach and