Alexander Isak was adored at St James’ Park - but few pledged allegiance to the £135million man as much as one Newcastle united supporter.
Tattoos, pets and baby names were dedicated to Alexander Isak, the new public enemy No.1 on Tyneside after his underhand move to Liverpool. A region worshipped a man who inspired Newcastle United to their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
But few got as carried away as the Toon-daft 38-year-old from Killingworth formerly known as David White. In April, David - how he once again wishes to be known - spoke to NewcastleWorld full of euphoria, having paid for a deed poll to honour his favourite striker.
Fast forward to the present and David, having given Isak the benefit of the doubt all summer, is now reeling. He has become the butt of the joke among friends. For the Toon fans out there, imagine your resentment towards the new Liverpool man and multiply that by 10.
“I was on Gosforth High Street the other week, my friend drove past and shouted ‘Isak, you f****** rat!’” he tells NewcastleWorld. “I’ve been called all sorts. I even saw a lad walking his dog the other day (like the Isak meme) and it reminded me of everything.
“Fortunately, I never got round to changing my passport, so I have to rip it (the change of name deed) up and hope it never gets caught out. Either that, or change my name back officially… I don’t fancy paying to be called David White. That’s the first thing I got for free!
“On Facebook everyone was slating him. I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. As soon as the deal happened, I joined in. I’ve had people already saying I should change my name to Yoane Wissa. I think I’ll pass on that one for now…”
Like many Newcastle supporters, David accepted Isak wanting to leave - it is the way he did so that leaves a sour taste. The Swede downed tools at St James’ Park all summer, costing Eddie Howe’s men valuable points in their opening three Premier League games.
“The club must have upset him but there’s a way to go about it,” David adds. “The way he has gone about it is completely wrong. If the club has told him he’s getting a contract, there’s a mix-up somewhere. I tried to defend him for so long until that statement came out. I couldn’t defend him anymore.
“I can get players leaving. I said last time that Andy Cole was my favourite player growing up but you don’t leave by downing tools and refusing to play. We’ve sold our best player and have made them stronger. I was desperate for Newcastle to hold out and say ‘You’re not getting him’.
“To be honest, I hope he does the same thing to Liverpool in a couple of years. I hope it goes horribly wrong.”
If David has the chance to meet the former Newcastle man, from one Isak to another, how would he react? A few home truths would emerge - getting everything off his chest - before a buoyant look to the future.
“Where do I even start?” David finishes when asked what he would say to Isak. “I’d tell him what I think to his face. I’d call him a rat and wish his career goes rapidly downhill.
“I’m looking forward now. I can’t wait for Wolves. Between Wissa and Woltemade, you just have to hope there are goals there. We’ve missed having someone up front.”
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