Routledge determined to settle in Newcastle
Feb 13 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
WAYNE Routledge has already bought a house in Newcastle but it is a home that he is looking for. Chief sports writer Luke spoke to a young man determined to settle on Tyneside.
WAYNE Routledge has found it easier than most to make the transition from London to Tyneside. Then again, with eight clubs in just five years, he has had plenty of practice when it comes to breaking the ice in a new dressing room.
After half a decade moving from club to club with barely enough time to unpack his bags let alone belong anywhere, Routledge hopes he has finally found somewhere he can call home.
He already has the house, a call to an estate agent just moments before sitting down to speak to The Journal confirming the completion of a short, yet fruitful, search.
However, this is about more than just bricks, mortar and a roof over his head. It is about putting down roots and finding stability in a young life which has experienced far more disruption and displacement that it should.
After years of unfulfilled potential since he left Crystal Palace to join Tottenham Hotspur in 2005, after months of living in soulless hotel rooms dotted around the country while out on loan with room service, house-keeping and uncertainty, the 25-year-old wants some long term security.
It’s a nomadic existence that has, ironically, stagnated a career which once saw him tipped to become an England star after a brilliant start to professional life at Palace.
“I just want to be settled,” said Routledge when asked what would bring out the best in him after a £1.5m move from QPR. “I’ve been a nomad over the last few years, constantly moving around and that isn’t good for any player. I want to put down roots, I think that is important here.
“I want to settle down. I thought that would happen at QPR, but it didn’t because of a variety of reasons but now I’m at Newcastle I want to be here for years.
“I’ve reached a point where I don’t want to be moving around the whole time, I want to be able to concentrate fully on my football – to do that I need to build a career at one club.
“Hopefully that will bring out the best in me when I’m out on the pitch knowing I’m settled in my life.
“Newcastle’s the perfect place for me to do that.”
