The unusual reason why Newcastle United didn’t sign £6.7m-rated Brighton star
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Brighton and Hove Albion winger Solly March has revealed how close he came to joining Newcastle United in 2011.
The 28-year-old has made over 250 appearances since beginning his senior career with the South Coast club 12 years ago - but it might have been very different.
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Hide AdDuring his days at non-league side Lewes, March travelled to Tyneside after being offered a trial by then-Magpies boss Alan Pardew. However, events took an unfortunate turn when he fell ill.


“It didn’t go well,” March explained. I remember looking around and the next day I was going to training but I passed out in the car and didn’t get to training.
“I guess going home I thought: ‘Maybe that was my chance gone’, or ‘what’s going to happen?’ You only get once chance in football. “
March was invited back to the North East for another trial but by that time he had already been approached by Brighton.
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Hide Ad“Luckily enough Brighton came in for me,” he continued. “If I signed for Newcastle I don’t think it would have gone as well so maybe it was a blessing in disguise.
“It wouldn’t have suited me to go so far away from home at that age, maybe it happened for a reason. Thinking of moving away to Newcastle was probably a bit too much for me at that age.”
March won’t feature at St James’ Park tomorrow night (kick-off 8pm) because of a hamstring injury.
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