“It was crazy,” Kevin Taylor told ChronicleLive, hours after meeting his Newcastle United hero. “You never think this would happen when you’re sitting in the chair getting a daft tattoo.”
Three months ago, dad-of-five Kev, a flooring specialist from Forest Hall, added to his Toon-mad tattoo collection by getting Joelinton etched on to his stomach. In recent times, the Brazilian has transformed from a £40million misfit to become the latest St James’ Park cult hero.
Eddie Howe converted the 26-year-old from a struggling striker to a midfield enforcer and his turnaround was vital in keeping Newcastle in the Premier League. Kev was so impressed that he decided to immortalise Joelinton on his body forever.
READ MORE: Premier League boss reacts to Newcastle investing 'a lot of money' in player with 'high level'
“I had my Toon badge done when I was a young,” he said. “Then I got lots of other Newcastle stuff, too. One day I thought ‘stuff it’ and I got the rest.
“I wanted Joelinton first - I love how he fights for everything. He had a poor time at the start and he’s had the best turnaround you’ll ever see. But the tattooist said he wanted to do Shearer. I had room for one more after those two so I got Bruno (Guimaraes) as well.”
When he shared his latest ink on social media in May, it did not take long to attract interest from Brazilian media. The journalist who contacted him soon passed his number on to Joelinton. Understandably, Kev was initially cautious in case his friends were pulling his leg.
However, it soon became clear that the person messaging him was, indeed, the Newcastle talisman. “A Brazilian journalist got in touch after seeing my tattoo,” he added. “She asked for my phone number then on Wednesday, a couple of months later, Joelinton randomly messaged me.
“I didn’t think it was him. He gave me his address and I thought… surely not? My partner drove us there and on the way she was saying ‘it’s not gonna be him, we’ve been set up here!’
“But when we arrived, he popped his head out the door and I was like ‘wow, it’s actually him’. We got the bairns out of the car and we’re having a bit craic on. All of a sudden, he gets the balls out of the car and starts playing football with the kids.
“My eldest son was playing football with his son - it was really canny. We were there for a good hour. We were talking about the game on Sunday and asking about each other’s families.”
Joelinton’s compatriot and fellow fans’ favourite Bruno Guimaraes also made an effort to speak to the lifelong fan. Unfortunately, Kev narrowly missed a face-to-face encounter with the midfielder but spoke to him over the phone.
“Bruno had actually retweeted the tattoo of himself,” he said. “When I showed Joelinton, he said ‘you have Bruno as well? He is meant to be here!’
“So Joelinton FaceTimed Bruno and we were talking and laughing. I couldn’t believe it. Me and the missus were saying on the way home this will never, ever, ever happen again.”
However, despite experiencing a moment he will never forget, Kev stopped short of confirming any further additions to his torso. Perhaps another marquee arrival in the transfer market will inspire the superfan into a rethink…
Kev declared: “I’m not sure (about getting another tattoo), mainly because the pain absolutely kills!”
READ NEXT
- Match verdict as Nick Pope justifies big Eddie Howe decision
- Pope shines and Joelinton strong: Newcastle player ratings
- Callum Wilson talks about life at Newcastle's under-construction training ground
- Brendan Rodgers drops fresh hint to Newcastle United on James Maddison
- Newcastle transfers state of play as Howe has already commented on Benfica star
