August 30 - Tino’s Off

THERE is a really rather good discourse here on why Tino Asprilla, contrary to popular opinion, was not actually responsible for Newcastle United losing out on the title in 1996.

After apparently not derailing the Toon title bid and then leaving St James’ Park in 1998 most English football fans probably thought they had heard the last of the Columbian striker, but he was back on the radar in the most unlikely way in 2002.

One-time Darlington chairman and former safe-cracker George Reynolds was throwing his money about at the turn of the millennium and even built a 25,000 seat stadium for Darlo’s 4,000 regulars to watch their team in, modestly naming it the Reynolds Arena.

Reynolds had promised Premiership football to the Quakers fans and part of his strategy for achieving it was recruiting former big-time players. First he tried to bring in Paul Gascoigne but when that failed, he turned to former Magpie Asprilla, who he said was a personal friend.

The news of a potential deal rippled across the football landscape to disbelief everywhere - not least Darlington where Scott Thornberry, editor of the fan website Darlo Uncovered said: “We’ve been crying out for a goalscorer since Marco Gabbiadini left. But we never expected somebody like Faustino Asprilla. When people said it was going to be a big name we thought maybe it would be Luke Beckett.”

The move hit problems straight away when the player was not granted a work permit but the club appealed, and after Home Office officials had stopped laughing, they granted the visa.

All was looking good for the deal but it was on this day in 2002 that it all finally fell apart. Tino had been due at the club for a medical before signing on the dotted line, but twice he postponed and Darlo were forced to admit the game was up when Tino boarded a flight out of Newcastle, never to return. He had another offer on the table from a Middle Eastern club and apparently decided the hot weather was too good to turn down.

“We made him a fantastic offer and I thought it was all in place. I am absolutely devastated,” Reynolds told Sky Sports at the time.

“We’re friends, myself and Faustino. I wined and dined him - but he knew about this alternative offer two to three days ago.

“He did not even have the decency to say goodbye. We offered him 20% of the gate receipts, plus salary, plus a car, plus a flat rent free.

“I’ll never ever talk to him again. He’s completely sunk me.”

Perhaps Tino simply looked at the fixtures list and thought life in the English Third Division was not for him: his first match with the Quakers would have been a champagne glamour tie with Kidderminster Harriers (a 1-1 draw in the end, since you ask).

Here is a little look at Tino’s time with the Magpies (with a little Darlo mention at the end from Wee Gordon Strachan). We will of course be back with more tomorrow, and this was us last year on this day.

(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)

 Loading ...