Newcastle's Moan on 'traitor' claims from rivals

Newcastle United goalkeeper Claudia Moan hopes to "prove wrong" the people who painted her as a "traitor" following her move from North East rivals Sunderland.

The 25-year-old was last season's Women's Championship player of the year after an impressive campaign.

But a switch to second-tier newcomers and ambitious rivals Newcastle led to criticism online which Moan said spoiled her arrival at the club.

"It reached some of the men's fans and the first week wasn't the best with a lot of people having their own opinions," said Moan.

"You have to be aware that you are always going to get a bit of grief. Newcastle sold it to me with their ambition and their backing.

"It's just ridiculous to see how something so small could be broadcasted to be something so ludicrous.

"I kept off my phone in the first week. It's something I should have been excited about but there are people who kind of spoil it for you. It's football at the end of the day."

Moan graduated from Sunderland's academy and signed her first professional contract last summer, before helping them to a third-place finish in the league.

She only conceded 18 goals in 22 matches and kept 10 clean sheets on her way to picking up the Golden Glove award.

With Newcastle now looking to rise rapidly through the pyramid and into the Women's Super League (WSL), Moan hopes to have an even better season.

But she has already faced challenges since swapping allegiances in the North East.

"[It] has really brought to the front of my mind how big women's football is getting and the exposure of it," added Moan.

"I just want to be the best version of myself. The people who have given me grief are not the best versions of themselves. I can only ever prove them wrong.

"Even last season, there were a couple of Sunderland fans who had stuff to say about me and I think by the end of the season I'd proven them wrong with the accolades."

Her move to Newcastle coincides with their first season in the Championship and excitement is already building for the North East derby.

Moan knows as a goalkeeper she will have to deal with vociferous fans behind her goal when the first derby day arrives on 13 October at the Stadium of Light.

"You have to stay concentrated for the full 90 minutes, but when you've not got a lot to do, sometimes you can't help but hear it," she said.

"You just think in your head, 'shut up and give it a rest'. But it just shows you how passionate people are about their teams.

"I have to put it at the back of my mind. I know that when it comes to Sunderland v Newcastle, it's going to be a tough day, especially for me.

"It's just [about] trying to block out the people who don't see it for what it is - the people who are trying to say I'm a traitor."