Dubravka Sends Five Cheeky Word Message to Newcastle Fans When Asked About the Rival – Newcastle Fans Are Fuming
In a moment that’s ignited the already volatile Tyne-Wear derby flames, former Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has left Magpies supporters reeling with a blunt, five-word response that’s being hailed as the cheekiest taunt of the season. As Burnley prepares to face Newcastle at St James’ Park this weekend, Dubravka – now thriving between the posts for the Clarets – was asked about his feelings toward “the rivals.” His reply? “Hopefully smash them” – a nod to Sunderland, Newcastle’s most despised foes, delivered with a wink and a grin that’s got Geordie hearts pounding in fury.
The Slovakian shot-stopper, who spent seven memorable years at Newcastle before a nominal-fee transfer to Burnley in the summer, couldn’t resist stirring the pot during a pre-match press conference at Turf Moor. Dubravka, 36, revealed that he’d been flooded with messages from loyal Newcastle fans ahead of Burnley’s August thrashing of Sunderland – a 2-0 victory where he earned a clean sheet on his home debut. “I got so many messages from the Geordies before the match wishing me the best and that we hopefully smash them,” he recounted with a chuckle, before dropping the bombshell line that has since gone viral across social media.
For context, Dubravka’s “them” refers unequivocally to Sunderland, the Black Cats who’ve endured a one-sided rivalry with Newcastle since their last Premier League meeting in 2016. The Magpies hold a commanding historical edge, including a humiliating 3-0 FA Cup win on Wearside in January 2024 where Dubravka barely broke a sweat. His glee in August’s win was palpable; posting on Instagram post-match, he gushed: “Am delighted to make my debut at Turf Moor, beating Sunderland, clean sheet, could not ask for more. Great teamwork – thank you for your support!” Even ex-teammate Sven Botman piled on, replying with a simple “Top” – shorthand for a job well done in humiliating the Mackems.
But what was meant as a light-hearted callback to those fan messages has backfired spectacularly among Newcastle’s faithful. Social media erupted overnight, with #DubravkaDisgrace trending on X (formerly Twitter) as supporters accused the once-beloved keeper of biting the hand that fed him. “Eight years we gave you, Marty! Sold us out for Burnley and now this? Smash THEM? You’re dead to us,” fumed one viral post from @ToonArmyLad, amassing over 5,000 likes in hours. Another, from @GeordieGazzaNUFC, quipped: “Hope you ‘smash’ that own goal tomorrow, ya cheeky git. St James’ won’t forget this.”
The backlash stems from the raw nerve Dubravka struck: loyalty in the cutthroat world of North East football. Newcastle fans adored the affable Dubravka, who arrived from Sparta Prague in 2018 and became a cult hero with 150+ Premier League appearances, including heroic stands in the club’s push for Europe. His departure was bittersweet – necessitated by Aaron Ramsdale’s loan arrival and the club’s youth infusion – but many viewed him as “one of us,” an adopted Geordie who’d internalized the Sunderland hatred. By flipping the script and using their rallying cry against “the rivals” in a nod to his new club, he’s painted himself as a turncoat.
Pundits are divided. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie called it “classic Dubravka banter – the man’s got ice in his veins,” while BBC Newcastle’s host labeled it “tone-deaf at best, incendiary at worst.” On the pitch, Dubravka’s form has silenced doubters; after a nightmare debut conceding three to Tottenham (including the league’s first eight-second rule violation), he’s been a rock, conceding just once in his last four starts. Burnley boss Scott Parker, a former Magpies captain himself, defended his No. 1: “Martin’s got that edge – it’s why we brought him here. Experience, yeah, but also that fire. Newcastle fans know all about rivalry; they’ll respect it come full-time.”
As the December 6 clash looms – ironically pitting Dubravka against his old stomping grounds – tensions are at fever pitch. Newcastle, chasing a top-four spot under Eddie Howe, will welcome back the prodigal son with a chorus of boos, while Burnley eyes survival in their Premier League return. Will Dubravka’s quip fuel a Magpies masterclass, or will he “smash” expectations with another masterclass? One thing’s certain: in the cauldron of St James’, five words have turned a homecoming into a powder keg.