Newcastle coach James Montgomery was delighted to get the call to appear in the Ronaldinho match at the Stadium of Light
Newcastle United academy goalkeeper coach James Montgomery with ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho
Newcastle academy goalkeeper coach James Montgomery with ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho
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Newcastle United academy goalkeeper coach James Montgomery made an unexpected playing comeback at the weekend - and found himself facing a side containing Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.
The 32-year-old has done donned his gloves for a competitive game since he brought down the curtain on his career by helping Gateshead to their FA Trophy final win against Solihull Moors as the Magpies’ National League neighbours experienced glory under the Wembley arch.
Since then, Montgomery has been helping guide the development of United’s promising crop of young goalkeepers and has worked with the likes of Aidan Harris, Roman Dowell and George Mair.
However, he was called upon to make a shock playing comeback as he appeared as a substitute for a UK Icons XI containing the likes of Jermaine Defoe, Kevin Phillips and Jermaine Pennant as they took part in an exhibition match at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Monday afternoon.
That meant facing a Ronaldinho and Friends XI that featured a whole host of star names including former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho, one-time Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse and ex-Inter Milan wing-back Maicon.
Montgomery admitted he had some doubts when he received a message asking for players to feature in the game - and insisted it was only when he met his team-mates and opponents on Monday that he realised the request was ‘legitimate’.
“I was thinking about getting a ticket a few weeks ago because I thought I can’t miss seeing Ronaldinho in person,” he told Chronicle Live.
“I didn’t get a ticket in the end but I got a call on Sunday evening asking if I was available because the organisers needed four or five players and one of them had to be a goalkeeper.
“I said get my name down there now - but you’re still not sure if it’s genuine. We didn’t get a call until late on Sunday night and then I got put in a group chat and you realise it’s real.
“We got to the hotel and it was just surreal. Then you realise it’s legitimate. I’ve had offers to play in games and I’ve resisted because I am happy with my last game being at Wembley.
“But when I got the call, to play against the calibre of players and someone like Ronaldinho, I was happy with that.”
Montgomery was initially meant to be a team-mate of the Barcelona icon - but was switched the the UK icons side at the last minute.
He explained: “I was meant to get on at half-time for the Ronaldinho side - but the organisers wanted their goalkeeper to stay on and he was brilliant to be fair. I felt under a bit of pressure when I watched him.
“In the last ten minutes, Huerelho Gomes, who was in goal for the UK team, came off and said I had to go in for him. He was a great person and I really appreciated that moment.”
Despite his belated introduction into the contest, Montgomery was given a chance to shine as he produced an eye-catching save from Coutinho that drew praise from a former Premier League star.
He said: “It was a decent save to be fair but I was laughing saying I’ve not really dived to save a shot for two years so not to expect too much.
“Coutinho hit it, I had to take off with people watching and my family there too and managed to get something on it.
“Michael Dawson (former Tottenham Hotspur and England defender) was straight over when I made the save and after the game he said ‘what a save’ again. They say don’t meet your idols - but the ones I did meet were unbelievable.”
Montgomery was unable to celebrate a win on his unexpected return as two goals from former Sunderland striker Cisse and one from World Cup winner Kleberson handed a 3-1 win to Ronaldinho’s side.