Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Mark Clattenburg claims he wished Craig Bellamy stayed at Newcastle United a bit longer

Former English Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has revealed that he wished former Wales international Craig Bellamy stayed at Newcastle United a bit longer.

The former forward spent three-and-a-half seasons at Saint James’ Park, helping the Magpies to two top-four finishes after scoring 28 goals in 93 league appearances.

Bellamy fell out with manager Graeme Souness in 2005, spending the second-half of the 2004-05 season on loan at Celtic as a result, but Newcastle-born Clattenburg wished he stayed on Tyneside a bit longer so as prevent refereeing him.

“Bellamy was a nightmare to referee and most of us felt the same.