Toon Star Wants Jimmy's Record!

Last updated : 23 June 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Arsenal are said to have offered £3.5m for the 31-year-old, but it's Jimmy Lawrence's Newcastle record the Irish international is after.

Newcastle goalkeeper Jimmy Lawrence made 505 appearances for Newcastle between 1904 and 1922, the most of any Toon player (* although 9 were in the FA Cup during wartime and not recognised by some authorities).

Lawrence gave way to Bill Bradley in May 1922 when he was aged 37, but Shay could well go beyond that.

Given: "I've been with Newcastle since 1997 and I'll soon be getting a Geordie twang. It's a great football club with fantastic fans, so I have no reason to leave.

"I have three years left on my contract and I am very settled in the North East. I see myself staying at Newcastle for the rest of my career.

"The rehab is going great and I'm feeling great.

"I've been keeping fit and training hard since my groin operation and in a couple of weeks I'll be able to join up with Newcastle again for the start of pre-season.

"I haven't had any contact with the new Irish boss (Giovanni Trappatoni) yet. I've spoken to his assistant Liam Brady a couple of times but not to Trappatoni at all.

"We certainly believe we have an excellent chance of qualifying for the World Cup. It's not an easy group but obviously we have a new manager in charge and we will all be trying to impress him.

"Playing in Japan and Korea in 2002 was fantastic so I'd love to do it again."