Newcastle United: Barton, Enrique, Nolan and Carroll; Saying Goodbye to Heroes

It looks like Newcastle fans will today be saying goodbye to another hero. The feeling deep in my stomach, the veil of depression clouding my thoughts, these feelings have become all too familiar over the last few months.

Sometimes when a player leaves you know it's for the best, in some cases (Jenas, Owen...) its great to see the back of them! Recently at Newcastle United though it has been a case of losing players you admire, respect and love. In wishing them farewell you are also saying goodbye to hope and ambition.

The sight of Enrique and Carroll in Liverpool shirts makes me feel nauseous, the thought of Barton in a QPR shirt lining up against us on September 12th is sickening. How long before Tiote or Coloccini are sold too?

There is, thankfully, one thing that even Mike Ashley can't sell off—memories of these players will survive. Sticking with the club through relegation, driving us to promotion and then to safety allowed these players to create moments in Newcastle United history that will be remembered for years to come.

Here is a slideshow of my fondest footballing memories of Andy Carroll, Jose Enrique, Kevin Nolan & Joey Barton.

Andy Carroll: The Goal Against Arsenal

While others may well have chosen his hat-trick against Aston Villa, when I think of Andy Carroll at Newcastle United this is always the goal that comes to mind. A proper traditional English centre-forward showing his strength and power and winning us three important points.

There is no doubt that £35 million was a stunning fee to receive for Andy Carroll. When Newcastle sold him, though, it spelt the inevitable end to that tight-knit group of players, Nolan and Enrique's eventual departures are closely tied into that decision.

Newcastle sold a local lad, a number nine and a major hope for the club's future. It brought back painful memories of the 1980's when local talents like Gazza and Waddle were sold off, and never truly replaced. The worst thing is that, after being sold at such a young age, Newcastle fans will have to watch him perform for other clubs for the next 10 years at least. 

Kevin Nolan: The Hat-Trick Against Sunderland

Nothing elevates you to legendary status on Tyneside quicker than scoring past Sunderland, after Ryan Taylor's exploits this weekend he will almost certainly never have to buy his own drinks in Newcastle again.

To score a hat trick against Sunderland takes you to another level, playing a huge part in the complete demolition of their fiercest rivals means that Kevin Nolan will never be forgotten by Newcastle fans.

In Nolan, Newcastle fans lost a talisman, a captain, the heart and soul of the dressing room—and a huge number of goals from midfield!

Jose Enrique: His Only Newcastle Goal

Jose Enrique may have only managed one goal while at Newcastle but it was certainly memorable. His late goal against promotion rivals Nottingham Forest all-but-guaranteed promotion back to the Premier League.

The celebrations afterwards showed how much both the players and fans had come to love the Spanish left-back. Jose's departure wasn't really a surprise. He is too good a player not to be playing at the very top level.

A lot of fans, though, were disappointed to see him follow Andy Carroll to Liverpool rather than move to Arsenal or Barcelona. To see Kenny Dalglish poaching Newcastle's best players to rebuild Liverpool, having previously dismantled the best Newcastle side of the modern era and replaced it with dross, sticks in the throat somewhat.  

Joey Barton: That Comeback

The Newcastle comeback against Arsenal was probably the highlight of last season. For me it was Joey Barton's performance, and attitude, that rattled Arsenal, and drove Newcastle on to get the draw.

He played his part in the Diaby sending off, scored two penalties and set up a goal for Leon Best that was wrongly ruled offside. But it is the spirit and determination that he showed that Newcastle will miss if things start to go wrong this season.

QPR are getting a brilliant, and committed, player who is in the form of his life. To allow him to go shows the lack of ambition that Mike Ashley has, for him its just another £50,000 a week off the wage bill.

Another Roller Coaster Week

Barton's departure rounds off another roller coaster week for Newcastle fans. I'll end the slideshow with a video of Ryan Taylor's goal against Sunderland to try and cheer up the Geordie faithful - I never tire of seeing that goal from new angles!

Newcastle fans will bounce back as always, hopefully new heroes will emerge this season - Cabaye, Gosling, Vuckic? Enjoy them while you can and try not to get too attached!