Ameobi brothers: We've got French stars but the fans want us Geordies at Newcastle



They were greeted with the chant of 'There's Only Two Ameobis' when they became the first brothers in 50 years to play a league game for Newcastle United.



Now, 18 months on, the pair have had differing fortunes. Shola, 31, returned to the first team in Ukraine and scored the winner, his 15th European goal (second only to Alan Shearer) to beat Kharkiv Metalist and reach the last 16 of the Europa League.



Sammy, 20, has joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season and is expected to make his debut against Championship leaders Cardiff City on Saturday.



Brothers in arms: Shola (left) and Sammy (right) Ameobi talked to Sportsmail's Colin Young

But their football journeys both started at Walker Central FC. Newcastle scout Brian Clark spotted Shola when he was 12, playing in a school playground, and took him to the club.



Seven years later he signed Sammy on the off chance he had talent. It was not easy for a black youngster to make the five-mile journey from the West End of the city to Walker, one of the most notorious estates in Newcastle... but Shola did.



Brian Clark: It was rough. As a young black lad coming down here in the late Nineties, a lot of people were dodgy.



He had to walk through the bottom of Fossway, no man's land for a kid from Walker.



He went through the tunnels and they'd throw things down at him, but he kept coming back. I'd give him a lift home, got him his first pair of boots and socks.



Top spotter: Brian Clark first brought Shola and Sammy Ameobi to the club

MEET THE MAN WHO DISCOVERED GAZZA

To read Brian Clark's Footballers' Football Column, click here...

Shola: All I remember is football pitches. When I first came, the area was not as friendly to me as it is nowadays so it was difficult coming to training, and I used to have to walk home if I'd spent my bus money on sweets.



It wasn't easy, but I just wanted to play football. Brian certainly made a difference in our family and these facilities can help keep kids off the street and offer the chance to play football.



If we can do it, others from the city can. We have a big French contingent at the club but ultimately the stars of this team have to come from this area.



It is Newcastle United. It is owned by the city, the people and they want to see local grown players in the team. It is important the club understands that.



I am not saying we are not going to sign foreigners again, but most Geordies would want to see local players in the team.



Imports: Mathieu Debuchy (right) and Massadio Haidara (left) were drafted in during the January window



New star: Moussa Sissoko is another Frenchman signed during the window and has shone since his arrival

Sammy: I remember my first game at Walker. I was about eight. I came on for the last 10 minutes. I didn't have a clue, just stood around, didn't know what was happening.



Brian: He was running up and down the pitch, jumping in the air heading an imaginary ball. I went over and said 'what are you doing, son?'

He said he was doing what he'd seen Shola do, obviously mimicking him warming up.

When he did get the ball it was clear he was a natural.



Natural: Sammy caught the eye of Clark when at Walker Central FC



Shola: When I was a young kid, it was football, football, football. All I did was play football, at home, at school, out on the street.

I came home from school and I'd sneak out if I was not allowed and jump out of the window. Our parents John and Margaret were only interested in studies.



Fundamentally they wanted to pass on that we had a good education, so there were a lot of tears growing up. I wanted to play football, they wanted me to be a doctor.



I remember them saying 'you won't play unless you have finished your work'. It wasn't that I didn't want to work, I just wanted to fit it round football.



I was grounded all the time for jumping out of windows to play football and coming home late. Sammy? He was weird. He was into computers.



I joke with him now, that he doesn't know what it was like. He got a lift every week to games and training because we had a car by then. I had to go on the bus or walk. A different generation.



Then and now: Shola celebrates scoring against Coventry City in 2001 (above) and scoring against Metalist



Sammy: I don't think I really played football. It was Supernintendo, Street Fighter.



I watched one of Shola's games when he made the first team, saw the fans and I thought this is what I want to do.



There is a huge age gap and he was living at home while playing for the first team and I was nervous to speak to him. I was closer to Tomi our middle brother who is playing in Iceland.



He was my brother but he was a Newcastle footballer and it was like Alan Shearer walking into my bedroom to talk to me.



Shola: It was like getting water out of stone. I wanted to interact, but he wouldn't say much. Now I can have a normal conversation with him.



When he joined the academy we didn't really speak with each other. I had to treat him like any other academy kid because you don't want to look like you are giving preferential treatment and because of the age gap we weren't best buds. He was timid and intimidated.



Sammy: Football-wise he is an inspiration, but also competition. I respect him, but I want to be better and do better. It is a case of putting work and effort in to surpass him.



After getting into the academy, people were telling me I had the potential to be one of the best and I think all that went to my head and I thought I'd made it.



I had a period when I thought I was the best. That backfired and I stopped working hard. It hit me when I saw lads older than me being released. I thought, I can't mess around any more. I might have ability but that is not all you need to be a footballer.



Different: Shola (above) and Sammy (below) had differing opinions about football when they were younger



Shola: Sometimes I want to wring his neck, sometimes I let him learn from his own mistakes. I could see he was a natural, but I didn't want to push him and our parents never did. I might have not always been the greatest, but I have always given everything and I am fine with that.



Football has never been an issue, because he has the talent - it was whether he wanted it enough. That is what he has to go through and I am here to give him advice.



I wanted him to come and ask me, I don't want to interfere. He has to gain from experience.



Sammy: When I got in the first team, seeing Shola geeing players up in the dressing room took me by surprise.



I hadn't really seen that side of him. It was strange and I laughed a bit seeing a different side of him. The big English players are not here any more so it is all on him to get the team going.



Shola: It is partly motivating myself because that is important. The manager stressed that he wants me to be a leader and I don't take it lightly. I feel a real responsibility.



There are no easy games in the Premier League and I have felt over the years that we have taken it for granted. I have learned from it and I don't want want my team-mates to take on that mentality.



Back in the day: A young Shola tussles with Manchester United's Wes Brown (right) 13 years ago

Sammy: It's thanks to Shola that I read. A year ago my sister handed me five books. At first I wasn't sure, but now I've always got a book. I'd never go to Kindle. I wouldn't feel I have accomplished anything.



I see all the pages in a book and say 'I've just done that'.



Shola: I see him on journeys with a book in his hand.



My favourite book is The Lord of the Rings, I was captivated by The Hobbit from a young age and that is what got me into reading.



Now I always have a book on the go. Footballers are like sheep and once someone starts something, people follow.



Mike Williamson reads a lot and a few of the French lads as well.

Colin Young spoke to Brian, Shola, and Sammy at the Walker Activity Dome sports centre.



The centre has been redeveloped since the Ameobi brothers played there thanks to a £338,819 grant from the Premier League's Community Facilities Fund (PLCFF) and the support of the Newcastle United Foundation and Newcastle City Council.





