Gutiérrez thanks Newcastle and Sunderland fans for support

Argentinian received messages from both sets of fans during cancer battle

Jonás Gutiérrez has thanked both Newcastle United and Sunderland fans for their support during his recovery from testicular cancer.

On Wednesday night the Argentinian midfielder made his first appearance for Newcastle since his diagnosis 17 months ago when he replaced Ryan Taylor at left-back in the second half of the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at St James’ Park.

“It was unbelievable, the welcome of the fans,” said the 31-year-old. “It was a long wait so it was emotional. I have to say thanks to the fans for all their support they have sent me.

“You see how people are. They don’t care what team they support. All football fans sent messages of support. I was very pleased to receive them all. There were messages from Sunderland fans. Derbies are hard in the north-east but they said they wanted me to be back. Football is one thing but being healthy is more important. At times like that you saw where the football family is.”

The atmosphere at St James’ can often be a little flat these days but as Gutiérrez prepared for his reintroduction on the touchline the crowd became so charged that it was as if someone had switched the lights on.

No one needed to tell the man himself what a special moment it was. “Since I’ve had my cancer and my treatment I’ve just thought day by day,” said Gutiérrez. “In the moment you come back on to the pitch for the first time a lot of things go on in your mind.

“All the things that you had to go through, the moments you were away from the pitch and you had the treatment, there was a lot of things that you think about. It was very emotional and I enjoyed it a lot. I have to say thanks to all for their support.”

One man who has always been there for Gutiérrez is his close friend and compatriot Fabricio Coloccini, Newcastle’s captain. When he ran on against Manchester United Coloccini immediately handed him the armband.

“It was a really nice touch and I say thanks to him,” said Gutiérrez. “We have a really nice understanding, a really good relationship.”

With his Newcastle contract running out in June he is playing for his future. “I go step by step and day by day,” he said. “Today was another step. I have to continue and do my best in training and work hard to get the minutes I want. I have to be ready for opportunities. I’m going to fight for my place.

“I’m recovering, I’m healthy and I’m feeling strong. Now I have three months to do my best and we’ll see what happens.”


By Louise Taylor / Guardian