Mum's The Word For Debutant Campbell

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Maria Campbell won't forget this year's Mother's Day gift from her son in a hurry - a Premier League debut at St. James' Park and a hand in a last minute winner for Newcastle United.

With four minutes of regulation time left in Sunday's game against Stoke City and the Magpies drawing 1-1, 18-year-old Adam Campbell came on for his top flight bow and with his first touch he found Sylvain Marveaux, who in turn set up Papiss Cisse to poke the ball home at the Gallowgate end.

Academy graduate Campbell's only previous taste of first-team action came in the Europa League fourth qualifying round first leg tie at Atromitos when, aged 17 years and 236 days, he became the youngest player to represent the Club in continental competition.

But running out in front of 50,703 at St. James' with the Premier League badge on the sleeves of his oversized shirt was another special moment for the lifelong Newcastle supporter, and helping the side gain three points made it even sweeter.

"To be honest with you, it hasn't really sunk in yet," he said as he sat down exclusively with nufc.co.uk after the dramatic 2-1 victory. "I was just sitting there (in the dressing room) before and one of the kit men was like 'just think, you've just played in the Prem.' It's just hard to believe that I've actually made my debut in the Premiership.

"I'd been told to get ready and keep warm and everything by Steve Harper, who's been there and done that. He was keeping me right and telling me to go out and warm up and keep sharp and stuff like that. Then the gaffer turned round and told me that I was going on with five minutes left - and that's what happened.

"I felt like I was invisible for the first couple of minutes I was on - I was getting a bit worried I wasn't going to get a touch.

"But it fell nicely and I looked up and Sylvain had found himself a lovely bit of space and did the rest. It was a great ball and Papiss just did what he does best to round off a memorable day.

"You couldn't have written it. It's magic. It's hard to explain it - I'm just lost for words, really."

Campbell had also been on the bench against Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday night, and Alan Pardew had planned to give the England under-17 international a late cameo at the Luzhniki Stadium.

"He did tell me to go and get warmed up and said that I was going to get on but obviously he had to bring Yohan (Cabaye) off because he was getting a bit tired and you've got to keep the vice-captain happy," the youngster joked.

"So I understood his decision and I respected it and today's more than made up for it. Not only have I made my debut in the Prem but I made it at St. James' in front of 50-odd thousand people and as you heard, they were flipping electric weren't they?

"I've been coming here nearly 15 years now to watch all the games and everything, hearing them shouting for other people. The last time I heard them shout like that was when Andy Carroll used to come on as a sub, when he was first breaking through and they went absolutely nuts for him as well.

"Hopefully I'll follow in his footsteps - but not leave.

"I think it's always nice to see local lads come through, whether it's me or Remie (Streete) or Sammy (Ameobi) or whoever it is. I think it just adds that bit more when it's a youngster and a young local lad who's been here and had the same joy and pain as they all have. So I think it was nice for them as well as it was for me."

And it was also a moment to cherish for his parents, who were unable to make it out to Greece for the Atromitos match but were proudly watching from the stands as Campbell made his domestic debut.

Most sons buy a card and perhaps a bunch of flowers on Mothering Sunday but Campbell smiled: "I think she was quite happy with the present I got her this morning but I think that one's just totally blown that out of the water.

"My parents have been pushing for it for as long as I have. They've helped me so much - not just my mam but my dad as well. They've took me everywhere, they've done so much for me and I wouldn't be here without them, I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am now without them, so it's more for them than it is for me

"Most of my family were here - my mam was here, my dad was here, my cousins were here, my uncles were here, everyone's here, so it's not just a nice day for me, it's a nice day for the whole family as well. The tweets have been going mental, my texts have been beeping off the hook and I'm just delighted."

Click here to buy a Newcastle United shirt with Campbell's name and number on the back