I was born here in the States in Greenville, SC, and locked onto football when I was six. I was fortunate enough to have a former Gunner, Stewart Gamble, start the first football club in my town. From then on, it has been love at first sight with the game. I played in college at Carson-Newman, an NCAA Division II powerhouse, in Jefferson City, TN, where I played every position on the pitch at one point or another (including keeper) and met my wife, JoAnna (Harper will confirm that Mrs. Beddingfield is a woman not to be slighted in any form or fashion). When I graduated in 1992, I started my career straightaway in football management coaching the women's team there, and assisted with the men's side as well. I spent six years there, then moved to Greensboro College in Greensboro, NC, as the head women's and assistant men's coach. It was there that I trained Ryan Nelsen (now with Blackburn) for two years before he transferred out to Stanford in California. It was a brilliant experience. I also spent three years as the assistant and goalkeeping coach for the Carolina Dynamo Men's Professional Team there in Greensboro. Neill McPhearson, whose dad was a long-time chairman of Nottingham Forrest, was the owner. I moved back into college coaching with the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears as the women's head coach. I spent seven seasons there while doing some damage and setting some records. Now, I am working with the youth club the Twin City Soccer Association here in Winston-Salem, NC.

I became interested in the Toon when one of my college mates went over to Newcastle in 1993, and brought back a ton of mementos, photos, and stories. The one that intrigued me the most was the match he saw at SJP, and the atmosphere he described was anything short of heaven. So, I started following them and fell into the team. While growing up, I idolized Pele. I watched him in amazement while he was in the old NASL. I grew up watching "Soccer Made in Germany" on our Public Broadcasting television station with Toby Charles narrating the events that unfolded in front of me. I was hooked on football from that point forward. Shearer was my favorite Toon player as I was always running about with my hand raised when I scored a goal while playing. It wasn't until 2004/05 that I actually went over and saw my first matches at SJP with Harper and Franchi. Arsenal and Birmingham were two experiences I would never forget. It was actually my tenth year anniversary present from my wife. The goal that Ameobi scored against the Brummies was one of the most perfect finishes I have ever seen in person. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Toon and it's lore over the past 15 years. I have resisted the urge of my colleagues who are "bandwagon" Manure or Chelski fans to stay loyal to the lads.

My thoughts about the game are many. Since football is my profession and my life, I am always looking at the game from many angles. The game today is in peril on two fronts: 1) excessive wages and 2) excessive acting. The Toon are as guilty as anyone in the first category. I see not enough emphasis being placed on player development (or as we are guilty of here in the States of developing our players in the wrong way). It has become player debasement. With any combination of, or inclusion thereof, where a Shepard or a Hall or both are running the club, we will always run second to the likes of the "big four" clubs. My dad always taught me that "to whom much is given, much is required". The Toon Army has given the club their lives, their money, their hearts and their support. Much has been given to the ownership of this club. However, they have yet to stand up and meet the requirements. If we are to be a "big club", and step out of the shadows of our own demise, then we MUST seek a different avenue of ownership and the seat of the chairman must be handed over to someone with even half-a-brain will do. The fans deserve better. Let's face it - without the fans, there is no Newcastle United. We have been characterized world-wide as devoted and fanatical - I am starting to wonder if it is because we are delirious and delusional because we have not won a single piece of hardware in a long while.

These are my thoughts on the Toon. Football is a brilliant game. I have played about everyone here in the States that they have come up with. Nothing quenches my appetite for competition like football. A perfect fit, then, I would say - the Toon and football. Now we just have to get the two to line up so we can win something!!

In May 2007, Will had a new addition to his family. Pictures can be viewed here and here.

Will Beddingfield, NC