Photo: Rafa Benitez.com
Being the jolly fine type of fellow he is, Rafa Benitez has gone out of his way to arrange a special face-to-face meeting with the Newcastle fan who did herself a bit of a mischief recently while attempting to welcome the Spaniard to the club.
Toon fan Zoe Ellison tripped and fell down several flights of stairs while unfurling her large banner just before Benitez’s first game in charge against Leicester City last month…
As a mark of his gratitude for her fatefully-bungled efforts, Benitez invited Zoe and husband Darren to meet with him in person at the Newcastle training ground over the weekend.
Writing on his personal website, Rafa said:
As most of you know, Zoe joined us at the Leicester match holding a big banner to welcome and support me. Unfortunately, she tripped and fell. She has fully recovered and today I was really happy to be able to meet her and say thank you.
Zoe’s gesture has made me remember lots of good moments as a Premier League Manager where so many fans has been supportive along the years.
I can have that amazing feeling again with the Newcastle fans that have warmly welcomed me and my staff and showing an unconditional support since my first day in Tyneside.
Howay the Lads!!!
Bloody good sort, is our Rafa. He’s really taken to the notoriously impenetrable Geordie vernacular too.