Former Newcastle United midfielder Jonjo Shelvey had no hesistation when asked about the best atmospheres he's played in
Newcastle United's St James' Park
Newcastle United's St James' Park has seen some remarkanle occasions in recent years(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
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Jonjo Shelvey experienced some incredible highs and deep lows during his eight seasons at Newcastle United. But the former England and Liverpool midfielder has no doubt that there is nowhere qute like St James' Park at its best - and that includes Anfield.
Shelvey joined Newcastle in 2016, but was unable to prevent United slipping into the Championship followjng his January arrival - and that of Rafa Benitez a few months later.
However, he stayed on to be a key player in their successful promotion bid, and an important part of the side under Steve Bruce and then Eddie Howe.
He moved to Nottingham Forest in 2023 but not before he was able to enjoy a revitalised Newcastle storm up the Premier League table, with Howe's men securing Champions League football just months after his departure.
The atmosphere inside St James' Park changed remarkably from the days of fighting relegation under Bruce, and while Shelvey experienced European nights during his days with Liverpool, he insists nothing beats United's home ground when at full volume.
"I've experienced European nights at Anfield. but I'd have to go with St James Park just because of the sheer fact that I was there longer," he told the Undr the Cosh podcast.
"When we were going for the Champions League I never seen a place bounce so much in in my life.
"I was at Liverpool at a real transitional time and I left a year before the season when they were going for the title. So I didn't really get to do that year where they were probably bouncing
"When you when you're there on the pitch and you hear the song (You'll Never Walk Alone) before the game at Anfield . . . I've got no hair but it makes the makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!"
Shelvey enjoyed just over a year of working under Howe at Newcastle - but remembers how things didn't start too well, when United lost to Cambridge in the FA Cup third round, as Kieran Trippier made his debut.
"He came in and kept Newcastle up. One of his first games we lost to Cambridge in the FA Cup and it was Kieran Trippier's first game," he added.
"He has just signed from Athletico Madrid, where he had won the league, and then he played in the game then when we lost to Cambridge.
"I looked over at him I said, 'bet you're glad you signed here'.
"But then we beat Leads away and it was the turning point of our season. I think when we went unbeaten in nine games and it was was just mad.
"I was lucky at the time I had I had the armband then as well. So it was it was a good time. I played a big part in that turnaround."