Nothing's black or white in our country - you're either brilliant or you're hopeless

I don't know what I'd have become if I hadn't been a footballer; I wrote down 'dustbin man' on a careers questionnaire at school till my dad made me change it to 'joiner'.

You have to go out onto the pitch feeling good about yourself. That can give you that extra 30 per cent.

I want to be around when Newcastle win a trophy because I want to see this place lift off. It will be one hell of a party for a long time.

I would play in any number shirt for Newcastle United, but the No 9 at Newcastle is something very special and I've always wanted to wear it. I mentioned it to the manager, he mentioned it to Les and Les has been very kind and given it to me.

You should always give 100%. If you do that then no-one can ask any more of you. Someone once said to me when I was a kid: 'If you're asked to do ten sprints, by all means do 11 but never do nine because you're only cheating yourself'.

First is first. That's the way I was brought up. Second or third are nowhere.