Danny Simpson spent three-and-a-half years at Newcastle United between 2010 and 2013.
Produced in Manchester, developed on Tyneside, immortalised at Leicester City. That is the shorthand of Danny Simpson’s 20-year career in professional football.
And while that historical, against-all-odds Premier League win in 2016 remains untouchable, Newcastle United holds a special place in his heart. A tangible link remains - with Simpson playing under Jonjo Shelvey for Arabian Falcons in the Dubai sunshine.
The two discuss current events at St James’ Park regularly. While neither are Geordies, the football-mad city has a knack for leaving its mark on anyone who puts the effort in.
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However, reflecting on his Toon exit from 3,500 miles away, Simpson - who left on a free transfer in 2013 - knew exactly when to seek pastures new. A contract wrangle with Mike Ashley was already lingering in the background.
And at this point a seasoned Premier League operator, the arrival of a certain French international marked the beginning of the end. He tells The Gazette, courtesy of Free Bets: “I knew my time was up - and I loved it up there. I felt like I'd come into the Premier League, helped the team get promoted, we had a solid mid-table season, then finished in Europe.
“I feel like our defence kept a lot of clean sheets that year. I felt like it (Debuchy signing) was competition, but Debuchy was friends with Cabaye and they (Newcastle) wanted a different profile. They offered me a contract but it wasn't right. I didn't want to be a squad player. I wanted to play football, not sit happily on the bench.
“That's why I eventually left on a free. I wasn't going to play with Debuchy there, a French international at the time. You have to understand your place.”
Simpson sampled the highs and lows of the black-and-white roller-coaster during his three years at the club. Promotions, derby wins, derby defeats, European campaigns, bizarre managerial sackings, stadium name changes and fan protests adjust to name a few.
Initially arriving on loan, Simpson quickly established himself as the dominant right-back. Within months, Newcastle became his permanent home and he relished the prospect of Premier League football in a team on the up.
Simpson soon tasted a first-hand experience of the circus act that has followed this club since its inception. Chris Hughton - who gave him the platform to shine just months earlier - had been given the bullet.
With the Magpies sitting 12th - and having recently celebrated a 5-1 win over Sunderland - the fans were stunned. But like how many other Newcastle players from that era have since disclosed, Simpson was not surprised to see Hughton sacked.
“Chris was very popular at the time,” Simpson adds. “He signed me, so I owe him a lot. Chris was a top, top man and everyone felt the same. But I think we also knew that was going to happen once we lost a few games.
“We knew Mike Ashley wanted to move him on eventually, even though he was doing well, so it wasn't a shock in the dressing room. Then when Pardew came in (and) we beat Liverpool. So he started well and that continued because by that point we had a really good team.”
Pardew proved an unpopular choice but soon won the players and supporters round. Newcastle stabilised in their first season back in the big time despite Andy Carroll’s controversial sale to Liverpool.
From that point, the Magpies kicked on. An unlikely Champions League flirtation followed the season after. Simpson proved instrumental, playing 35 Premier League games and almost trademarking the goal-line clearance.
A three-pronged attack of Hatem Ben Arfa, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse fired Newcastle to Europa League qualification. A combative midfield trio featured Jonas Gutierrez and Cheick Tiote, with Yohan Cabaye providing the creative spark.
Fabricio Coloccini and Davide Santon had flair in abundance. Tim Krul was stopping everything between the sticks and, despite Ashley still owning the club, all appeared well.
But as mentioned, Simpson’s journey at St James’ Park ended just one year later. He carries no regrets - and who would given the scale of his later achievements.
Simpson took on the role of dependable right-back again as Leicester delivered the biggest shock in Premier League history. But had Father Time delayed Newcastle’s run to Europe by four years, he believes there may have been black-and-white ribbons on the trophy in 2016.
“I'm telling you now, that (Newcastle 2011-12) was a good team,” Simpson finishes. “I don't know if it's been said before, but I actually compare that team to Leicester.
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“What I mean is: decent keeper, a solid back four, I had Ben Arfa in front of me, who was a bit like Mahrez in profile. You had Cabaye, similar to Danny Drinkwater. You had Cheick Tiote, similar to (Ngolo) Kante. On the left you had Jose Enrique, similar to Christian Fuchs.
“You had (Jonas) Gutierrez, pretty similar to Marc Albrighton in terms of his energy up and down. And then you had talent up front in Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse. So I actually compare the teams in a weird way. The style was similar, apart from maybe up top.
“Playing with Mahrez was the same as playing with Ben Arfa for me. Two top, top talents. They were two very, very good teams that I was very lucky to play in. And with that Newcastle team, being that close to the Champions League… you never know.”