Newcastle hitman Dwight Gayle still shocked by rapid five-year rise from Bishop's Stortford to Tyneside: 'If you had told me I'd be here now, I wouldn't have believed you'

Daily Mail | November 5, 2016

Dwight Gayle is reminded that exactly five years ago he slipped and missed a penalty against Blyth Spartans. He was playing for sixth-tier Bishop's Stortford in front of 297 supporters.

'I remember that, I was fuming. I fell over as I hit it. We scored off the rebound, but still, I wasn't very happy,' says the 26-year-old, making no attempt to mask the lingering regret of a chance missed.

'But five years? It's crazy how much has changed. If you had told me then I'd be here now, I wouldn't have believed you.'

Five years ago Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle was playing for sixth-tier Bishop's Stortford

Aged 20 he had been rejected by Arsenal so took to playing with his mates for Stansted

Now he is the Toon Army's No 9 and is thriving as their leading man in the Championship

Sportsmail's Craig Hope speaks to Gayle about his career at Newcastle's training ground

Gayle is standing in the autumn sun on the terrace outside of the manager's office at Newcastle United's training ground.