Under-21s chief excited about return to region (From The Northern Echo)

Under-21s chief excited about return to region

8:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

FORMER Newcastle United academy chief Brian Eastick is looking forward to bringing England Under-21s to the North-East next week - after an enlightening two-year spell under Sir Bobby Robson.

Following the sacking of Fabio Capello as England boss, Eastick has been given the job of leading the young guns after Stuart Pearce's installation as caretaker manager.

It means Eastick will be in charge for the Under-21s' European Championship qualifier against Belgium at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday, February 29 (kick-off 6pm).

More than 13,000 tickets have been sold already for the occasion and the 61-year-old, who was brought to the Newcastle in 2002 by Robson, has fond memories of working for the Magpies.

"I would often chat to Sir Bobby at different games around the country and I certainly didn't have to think twice when he offered me the role of academy director at Newcastle because it's such a fantastic club with superb support," he said.

"I was there for almost two years, right up until Sir Bobby left the club and I still look back on that period as one of my most enjoyable in football.

"You'd look forward to getting to the training ground every day because he had such a passion for the game and his enthusiasm just reverberated around the club."

Eastick helped nurture the talents of England and Liverpool striker Andy Carroll during his time on Tyneside. "Andy Carroll was only 14 or 15 at the time but training with us regularly," he said.

"It's funny looking back on what he's achieved since then, playing for England Under-21s, scoring for the senior team at Wembley Stadium and signing for Liverpool for £35m.

"Back then he was just hoping for a career in the game but Sir Bobby created a real optimistic atmosphere at the club and he wanted to see youngsters doing well and progressing in the game. He led by example and it was a real privilege to work for Sir Bobby Robson."

Boro are selling tickets for the Under-21 game at a faster rate than Norwich City achieved when they last hosted the nation's young talent.

With more than 13,000 tickets already sold, more than a week before the Euro qualifier with Belgium, Boro are well ahead of the pre-match sales achieved by the Canaries for what was eventually a 25,000 sell-out crowd against Romania in 2010.

Tickets for England Under-21s are on general sale priced £10 adults and £5 for concessions. Tickets are available from the Riverside Ticket Office, by calling 0844 4991234 or online at www.mfc.co.uk