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The Boy Done Good
Written by Newcastle Utd
In the second of his three-part exclusive interview with nufc.co.uk, Curtis Good talks trial periods and giving youth a chance
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
When Curtis Good left Tyneside following a two-week trial at the end of last season, the teenage defender was unsure as to what the future held.
His dreams of playing in the Premier League were a step closer, but by no means certain, and the Melbourne Heart man was refusing to get his hopes up.
However, things clearly went better than the humble Aussie could have ever dreamed of, as he was offered a six-year deal and on Tuesday became Newcastle United's third signing of the summer.
And Good explained that he "jumped at" the opportunity to pull on the black and white striped shirt.
"I was on trial towards the end of April and the start of May for two weeks," the 19-year-old told nufc.co.uk in an exclusive interview.
"Having already been over once has made it easier to come over again now as I know what to expect.
"When I was on trial I felt I did okay, but I wasn't too sure what was going to come of it.
"A lot of people were telling me that if it wasn't successful then it was okay because Newcastle is a huge club and it is very hard to make it over here.
"So when I went away I was happy with how it went but just tried to put it to the back of my mind and let whatever was going to happen, happen.
"As soon as I found out Newcastle wanted to have me, it felt amazing and it took no persuading at all to sign.
"It's always hard leaving home, but as soon as the opportunity came, there was no way I was ever going to turn it down. I jumped at it."
Good joins a youthful United squad which excelled last season, finishing fifth in the Premier League and qualifying for the Europa League in the process.
The likes of Mehdi Abeid, Haris Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi and Shane Ferguson are all proof that age and experience is irrelevant in the eyes of Alan Pardew, with the boss happy to select on talent and form instead.
And it is those similarities between the Magpies and Melbourne Heart which played a big part in Good's decision to make the switch to England.
"When I first went to Melbourne I wasn't expecting to play, but my old coach John van 't Schip nurtured youth players, and a lot of youngsters came through and played a lot of games," said the centre-back.
"We ended up making finals - the first time the club had done that - and it was all down to his belief in us. We had a really good team that year.
"I've got a similar feeling here, and that helped with my decision. I've seen a lot of the young players here be involved - guys like Fergie - so it seems like if you're good enough, it doesn't matter how young you are."
To read part one of the exclusive interview with Curtis Good, click here, and stay logged on to nufc.co.uk for the third and final instalment.
