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Mirandinha elated after takeover – Cult hero declares ‘Now Newcastle United will fight for titles’

2 years ago
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Mirandinha arrived at St James Park back in 1987.

The first ever Brazilian to play in the English top tier, it was an adventure with him for sure.

The 28 year old striker would literally shoot from anywhere and obviously frustrated his teammates frequently.

Bought for £575,000 to replace Peter Beardsley who’d joined Liverpool for £1.9m, Mirandinha was most definitely more a scorer of great goals than a great goalscorer, he was also a great entertainer. Gazza took him under his wing and was notorious for teaching the unsuspecting Mirandinha loads of swear words, that he ended up repeating at inopportune times.

His first season was very decent as fans turned up in sombreros at the match, Mirandinha scoring 11 first division goals in 1987/88 but upstaged by an 18 year old Michael O’Neill, who arrived and scored 12 in 19 matches. With the likes of Gazza and Paul Goddard also in the team, there was some real quality, Newcastle United ending up in eighth place in the table.

However, ahead of what would prove to be Mirandinha’s second and final season at St James Park, Gazza left for £2.2m and Willie McFaul went on a mad spending spree, buying a goalkeeper in Dave Beasant who would launch the ball up the pitch, yet McFaul had brought in attacking players that summer such as Robertson and Hendrie who were also on the shorter side like Mirandinha was. That season proved disastrous as Newcastle were relegated, though Mirandinha did finish top scorer with 11 first division goals, before returning to Brazilian club Palmeiras after relegation in 1989.

Maybe a bit like Newcastle fans are with Tino Asprilla, those of us who were around back in the late 80s will get a smile on the face when the name of Mirandinha crops up: “We’ve got Mirandinha, he’s not from Argentina, he’s from Brazil, he’s f.cking brill!”

Anyway, Mirandinha is still a massive fan of Newcastle United, plus his daughter was born in the best city in the world, with Newcastle’s takeover making big news in Brazil, the 62 year old has given an interview to media over there, talking about how pleased he is for the fans, including him!

Mirandinha talking to Globo Esporte:

“I think this sale is a dream for Newcastle fans and I include myself in that as a fan, because I still like the club and have many friendships there. With players, managers and fans, who always come to me asking for an autograph or something along those lines.

“Now Newcastle United will fight for titles.

“I believe that from now on the club’s fans will feel supported and with the prospect of fighting for big things in football.

“I was the first Brazilian to act in the Premier League. That means a lot to me, it will be marked for life.

“English football gave me the opportunity to break a taboo that Brazilians didn’t play in the Premier League, only Argentines played.

“I played great games for Newcastle and I broke this thing that Brazilians didn’t play in England.

“Today there is a large legion of Brazilians who play in the Premier League and this is gratifying.

“The way I was received by the people of Newcastle, it was a joyful moment.

“My daughter was born in Newcastle in 1987, so all this represents a lot and has a very great value for my whole life.”

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