Fans given a Fab response
Thursday, 8th May, 2008
by Paul Nilsen, Evening Chronicle
FAB FLOURNOY received a rapturous reception from Newcastle Eagles fans after he again dragged himself out of his sick bed for the club so he could say farewell at an end of season bash.
Thankfully for supporters, those goodbyes were only temporary ahead of a summer break while the ovation he received made a mockery of reports that the player-coach had headed straight back to his hotel after the Lions game to avoid being questioned over the defeat.
Indeed, the mood was at times one of considerable anger amongst those who had travelled to Birmingham, with many keen to express their disgust at the notion Flournoy had let the club down in any way and were quick to stress that his popularity was now higher than it has ever been.
It is difficult to argue with that assessment, having witnessed first hand the most remarkable and courageous performance that I have seen in over a decade of covering the sport in terms of someone’s commitment to his team.
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For while Flournoy ultimately failed to collect more silverware, it is almost beyond comprehension how he managed to defy medical advice and not only make it on to court but also produce a sparkling performance that frankly should have his under-performing players burning with embarrassment.
Hardly able to walk after the semi-final due to painful stomach cramps and so dehydrated the following day that he wasn’t even able to sit on the bench and coach his team, he was still suffering at the presentation night – but that didn’t stop him from talking about premature rumours of his demise.
He joked: “Contrary to some rumours I am not going to die and have not been hiding anywhere.
“We are disappointed not to have got more than one trophy and also with the way we played in the semi-final against Milton Keynes, but nevertheless, we have had a great season in winning the league.
“We may or may not be going into Europe now and we will see about that in the next few months, but I guess we can definitely say that we are heading towards Europe.”
The biggest cheer of the night came when Flournoy reiterated his pledge never to leave the club for another BBL club after suggestions that his former club Sheffield Sharks were set to try and prise the New Yorker away from Tyneside.
“I am definitely not going to Sheffield,” he added.
“In truth, I am not going anywhere. Once I am done with the Eagles I am done with basketball.
“This club is like a family in everything that we do both on and off the court.
“I am very proud about what we have achieved.”
Lynard Stewart, meanwhile, completed a hat-trick of awards by adding the Eagles Supporters’ Player of the Year medal to the BBL Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Year that he received last week.
