In this blog I shall be sharing my opinion on the top 10 players to have worn the famous Black and White of Newcastle United since the year 1990.
Having recently taken the time to create a 25 man shortlist, I have now achieved a task which proved far harder than I had ever imagined and have whittled it down to just 10. My decision to feature only players which have represented the club since 1990 was one I made out of respect for all previous NUFC legends and was simply down to my own age. I feel that to really judge a player’s ability, actually witnessing them play on a regular basis is a must. This is something I cannot say I have done with all NUFC players pre-1990, and therefore I feel it would be highly unjust of me to even attempt including them in this list.
Now then, let’s get down to business and start that countdown…
10. Shay Given (1997 – 2009)
Having been signed for a bargain £1.5m from Blackburn Rovers in 1997, Shay Given must go down as one of ex-boss Kenny Daglish’s best ever signings. In his 12 year stint on Tyneside, Given would be seen defying the odds with saves of the highest calibre on a weekly basis. For me, Shay isn’t only the best NUFC goalkeeper ever, but he is also one of the best ‘keepers to have ever played in this country.
9. Faustino Asprilla (1996 – 1998)
As a fan, I can honestly say that Tino Asprilla’s hat-trick against Barcelona in the Champions League is a memory that I rank up there with the best. Asprilla may not have played as many games as he would have liked in his time with us, largely down to the superb partnership formed upfront between ‘Sir Les’ and ‘Big Al’ at that time, however when he did play, he’d almost always bring St James’ Park alive with what I can only describe as sheer ability.
8. David Ginola (1995 – 1997)
Why does he make my list?… because he’s worth it! Ginola played for NUFC as part of Kevin Keegan’s ‘The Entertainers’, a team remembered for producing an attacking style of play that done just that, entertain. With the ball at his feet this Frenchman was inspirational to all of those around him and I can’t help but feel that had we of won the league in 1996, he’d of been remembered as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever players.
7. Philippe Albert (1994 – 1999)
Will a centre-back ever score a goal as good as our Belgian legend’s sublime chip over Peter Schmeichel? Not likely! In fact, if you disagree then I’d suggest that you stop reading now and leave this site to put on your Sunderland shirt ready for yet another derby day hiding come March 4th. Cool, calm, collected, Philippe Albert was the epitome of composure and quite rightly takes his place among Newcastle’s greatest. “Philippe, Philippe Albert, everyone knows his name!”
6. Gary Speed (1998 – 2004)
“We can’t replace Gary Speed. Where do you get an experienced player with a left foot and a head?” Now as silly as this quote may sound, if the late Sir Bobby Robson rates you highly enough to describe you as irreplaceable, you’re one hell of a player! A model professional and a gentleman, Speedo will be remembered fondly by not only fans of Newcastle United, but by all fans of the beautiful game. RIP Gary.
5. Robert Lee (1992 – 2002)
When a certain Kevin Keegan dubs you as the “Best midfielder in Britain”, you’d better believe it’s true. During the 1990′s Rob Lee was the heartbeat of Newcastle United. A real midfield dynamo, Lee helped us gain promotion to the Premier League in his very first season as a Toon player. He then went from strength to strength and quickly became a crucial component in a team that many fans, including myself, would describe as the best NUFC team we’ve ever had.
4. Nolberto Solano (1998 – 2004 + 2005 – 2007)
Coming in at no.4, I give you our former dead ball specialist, Nobby Solano. When this little Peruvian was on the pitch it was never a matter of if a chance would come, but when a chance would come. He is what I would describe as the perfect wide man. Simply put, if you’re a striker and you have a player like this in your team, you’re going to score goals.
3. Les Ferdinand (1995 – 1997)
What can you say about ‘Sir Les’? Having joined the club at the start of our famous 1995-96 season, our new no.9 was coming into what was already a fantastic Newcastle United team, yet he still managed to be a stand out player. He grabbed an astonishing 29 goals in his first season and although that wasn’t quite enough to clinch the title, it did earn him legendary status within Toon.
2. Alan Shearer (1996 – 2006)
Following on from a great striker, I give you the greatest. As you all know, ‘Big Al’ is the Premier League’s all time leading goal scorer with an outstanding 260 goals, a feat that I personally believe will never be matched. Turning down a move to Manchester United in order to sign for us made him somewhat of an instant hero to most of us fans, but it was the goals he scored during his time here on Tyneside that really made him the NUFC icon that he is today. Our greatest ever no.9?
1. Peter Beardsley (1983 – 1987 + 1993 – 1997)
It may seem rather controversial to many of you that I have Peter ‘The Great’ coming in at no.1 above that man Alan Shearer, however, for me he was simply untouchable while wearing our famous Black and White. He was the ultimate footballer and my boyhood idol. Growing up watching this man was truly an honour, he made the game beautiful and, to me, he is unquestionably Newcastle United’s greatest player within the modern era.
So there you have it, my list of top ten NUFC players since 1990 is complete. It goes without saying that many of you will disagree with me in one way or another and that is perfectly fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, if you would all be kind enough to spend the next 4 minutes and 46 seconds watching the following video I would appreciate it greatly.
Lads and lasses, I give you the man I believe to be Newcastle United’s greatest player since the 1990′s, Peter ‘The Great’ Beardsley…
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100 Comments
Andy Cole surely has to have a place amongst that.
I think I would get rid of Tino and put Cole in there
I’d take out Asprilla and replace him with Cole.
MARK, snap.
lol great minds nd al that
can we not have a top 11 and squeeze D Batty in
@Wolfie
if we had 12, Marc hottiger would of made it just coz he was sexy
just think If we keep this team and they keep improving Tiote might replace R.Lee or Speed, and The Demba’s might replace Tino or Cole or even
Shearer 
Colo for Albert and Ober for Ginola
It’s a sign of how awful a decade we’ve had that no players signed post Sir Bobby have made the list.
Very happy that we have a number of players atm that we will undoubtedly be talking about in the same breath should they stick around for the long haul.
MARK, I used to pull the head right off it over HOTTY as I called him.
A good list but I too would have found room for Cole and probably had Rob Lee a little higher (he was the driving force that got us back in to the premier league).
Would have been nice to have a spot for Lee Clark
@wolfie
my lips are sealed 
top 5> PeterB
Shearer
Rob Lee
ACole
R Fox
I see someone on the Liverpool blog is compiling a list of players as well.
It’s called , the top 20,000 players since 2010.
Top2
PeterB
Shearer, Shearer will always be the daddy in my eyes..
Wheres bramble?
Ray Winston’s the daddy.
Beardsley would probably be my no.11 as well.
He’s the closest we’ve ever had to a real Geordie “Messi”.
He was magical to watch and maybe doesn’t get the acclaim he should from some younger fans who didn’t get to see 1st hand.
Talk about Andy Cole? He wouldn’t have got half his goals for us if it wasn’t for Beardo terrifying opposition defences and leaving the gaps for Cole to exploit.
A phenomenal player.
No 11? Doh. No 1 even.
It largely depends on the era you became a fan.
For me it has to be shearer what a legend … But i still knew beardsley was just class at another level but didnt get to see him as much or remember as much as wor shearer
Scott Hutchinson @geordie_hutchy
@TaylorR1984 Ryan im not gay, but i actually fucking love u
Retweeted by Ryan Taylor
Toonsy – I always thought your name was Simon?
Liam he’s at 12 just below Marcelino.
I expected a fair few shouts for Cole. Not for me, though. I loved Tino! Thought Gillespie may have got a mention from you lot too.
When Beardsley first played for the Toon he used to live in a little semi over the road from my mate on Highford Park in Hexham.
My mate’s house was bigger than his too! Can u imagine what someone of his quality would get paid these days!
No Lamine Diatta Gary? I’m shocked and appalled
In all seriousness good article mate, sure to create a good debate. Me being 18 I only seen Shearer, Speed, Given & a bit of Rob Lee but I obviously know how good the rest are.
On stats alone I would of thought Andy Cole would be in ahead of Asprilla!
TC kna dont believe you
believe you have mates i meen
Haha – I just had a deek on Google maps – it was a detached actually but still very modest compared to the mansions even the crapiest PL player will live in these days!
Batty
It was a long while ago now mind
K Gillespie was a cracking winger, he nearly got a mention from me but failed due to when I watched us play N.Forest. Psycho was getting on a bit but still playing leftback for Forest. Pearce had a word with Gillespie in the first minute and Gillespie didnt go near him all game, so for that ass-dropping act of gayness
he just failed to make it 
@Toon Chicken
an old keeper used to live near me in Chapel Park
sure it was Carr
theyre only worth around 150k nu. Its all Darras Hall now, a lot of the Sunderland players live in Darras Hall too
chicken no mates
my mates bigger than your mate 
sort yourself out chicken
some tasty players there fella
Mark – Of course they do, they wouldn’t dare live in that shit hole Sunderland. Says it all for me like, can’t even bring themselves to live in the same city as the club they play for!
If Colo hangs around and gives us two more seasons playing at the level he is now then he’ll be a top ten player.
Well Super Mac should be in there instead of Ferdinand and Millburn instead of Asprilla.
What about Gazza, Beardsley, Gallacher (His scoring record was immense) and Moncur?
Stu – He said from 1990 onwards
Ah, ok. I didn’t read that.
Should be of all time though.
ime with STUART
Best place to be, ICEDOG.
Like I said Stuart, it would be unfair for me to try and rate players that I didn’t see playing week in week out.
Also, Beardsley is at no.1! Did you even read the blog?
john beresford needs a mention not a bad defender good going forward had talented players in front of him (but not the work ethic) wish he was our leftback now imo
STUART
GARY i enjoyed the blog mate,then again i enjoy most of them
For me, I’ve been watchin from the promotion season 92/93 I’ll do it in position wise,
Keeper – Given (although Krul I’m sure will be taking this spot in a few years)
Full back – Beresford
Centre Back – Albert
Winger – Ginola/Solano/Robert
Def Mid – Batty/Tiote
Attacking Mid – Lee
Number 10 role – Pedro
Striker – Shearer
@shitheed
is that u Troy
I bet you wish you read the article now STUART eh.
Alex, do you honestly rate Tiote better than Speed? That’s a massive complement to how highly you think of Cheick.
ICEDOG – Cheers mate, I really enjoyed writing this one. Think I must have changed the order 1000 times!
Gary good read mate
I bet it was hard to get it down to 10
Would pick Colo (or even a fit woodgate) over albert, His wandering off up field was one of the reasons why we ballsed up 95/96 scored some lovely goals in his time here but left peacock or howey woefully exposed when the fullbacks were pushing on as well.
Tiote would be in for me aswell loved Gary Speed and admired the way he (like lee) changed his game when he got older but tiote is the classy ballwinner weve craved for years and he hardly wastes a pass.
Stick tiote and coloccini in any side between 93 and 2004 and we would have won shit loads…
@gary , enjoyed that good blog and good fun
Mine ,
Given.
Gavin peacock.
Collicini.
Solano.
Ferdinand.
Ginola.
Cole.
Albert.
Shearer.
Beardsley.
I agree big als a goalscoring legend but for football ability its pedro all day long and iv met him and he’s a gentleman . Peacock and Colo in there for me for footballing wizardry
My personal favourites over the years in no particular order are…
Cole, Beardsley, Shearer, Ferdinand, Given, Nobby, Dyer, Ginola, Colocinni, Enrique.
Few controversial selections there I know, and no way am I saying they are better players or contributed more than Lee or Speedo etc. they’re just players I personally enjoyed watching.
Ginola should be higher imo, he was the only Newcastle player I can remember to win Players Player and Football Writers player of the year in the same year.
@CC a fit woodgate would of easily made my top 10. Without doubt one of the biggest shames in football. One of the most composed players I’ve ever seen.
my top 2 are shearer and lee
if it only came to wingers I’d put Solano ahead of Ginola, I’d probably put him ahead of Beckham if becks had of played for the Toon, but maybe I’m being a little bias
CC – You just made a comment that Tiote rarely wastes a pass. I think you’ll find that before he headed off for the ACON he was the most dispossesed player in the Premier League. Mind you, he normaly wins it back too.
If Tiote is here in 2yrs time he might have a chance of replacing Speed or Lee, atm tho he’s neck & neck with D Batty..
Mark@54 Beckham is and was shite , Nobby miles better than him!
@Johno Toon
aye, I’d go with that.
BIG DAVE – It was mate. I was pulling my hair out at times! Cheers.
@cc , albert was a great defender as well ! And we conceded less goals that season than man u , smicheal cantana and alex furguson cost us the league not albert ! Tiotes good but we need to see more of him , all imo ofcourse .
Wow
, just shows how young I am, not knowing how good beardo was, can’t beleive hes not talked about more in the footballing world with the likes of lineker 
and that.
Albert was amazing. Full stop.
Have many of you watched the video yet? It just gets better and better. Lionel Messi has clearly based his game around the style of Pedro.
Not really, Wolfie.
Beardsley is the best footballer I’ve ever seen play at the Toon. Incredible skill and attitude.
@andymag
Type in Peter Beardsley highlights on YouTube .
Incredible!
STUART79 – Cheers mate!
@troy
just watched 4 minutes of him mate
Pretty much agree with the list, except I would have Lee fourth, ahead of Solano and Cole instead of Asprilla. Tino could be breathtaking but he wasnt as consistent as Cole whose partnership with Beardsley was excellent.
Sorry. Peter Beardsley tribute. It lasts 9 mins and has some of the best highlights of any footballer.
reckon hes more maradona than messi, and yes there is a difference even I (who wasn’t born when the former played) knows the difference between them.
BTW – reckon Given should be further up the list, quality. Once again prob just saying that cus I saw him the most.
ANDYMAG – Beardsley was untouchable. In my opinion, he should be remembered as one of the worlds best a long with the likes of Maradona, Pele, Platini, Best etc etc
Gary, I gathered that from the video and everyones comments
Oh yeah, didnt mention it earlier, but did anyone else reckon keane was offside when they got their goal? Just typical if it was, even though we won in the end.
A lot of people seem to fancy Cole over Tino. Not for me, though. Cole relied too heavily upon the ability of others whereas Tino could do it all himself. That doesn’t mean to say that Cole wasn’t great, in terms of goal scoring he was spectacular!
GARY, Cole had a lot more to his game than just relying on others to score goals.
His pace was electric and the way he turns on a sixpence in the box was amazing, plus he scored a good few crackers as well.
Tino was more skill full but Cole was far more deadly.
Good read gary again ,really loved the video too, got quite moved by it . I’m an oldie so mine would have Chris waddle , Keegan and Gazza too . But my no .1 would be Shearer simply because i love a goal scorer and no one will ever come near him imo. If you looked up the epitome of a professional footballer it would say Shearer . I do agree though Peter was something special. Big shout for Supermac too if only for the hattrick against the bindippers
Wolfie @76 – Gotta agree having seen him at Bristol city ,you could see even then ,what a player he would be.
Gary you are bang on. Beardsley is head and shoulders the best all-round player I have seen ever witnessed playing. He had the full repertoire of shots, passes that could rip a defence to pieces and although he didn’t do the ‘elastico’ style trickery of a Ronaldo, he could cut through three or four defenders with his close control and the Beardsley shuffle (kind of swivelling the hips, for the youngsters). If he lost the ball he would often run 40 yards to try and get it back, and he wasn’t afraid to get stuck in either. He also clearly inspired the players around him too. A true professional and never seemed to get quite the full recognition he truly deserved really.
I agree with the top 10 more or less but their is 1 player that maybe should be in that list . Although he did not play a vast amount of games for us and not 1 in the premiership the guy was the bedrock on which the Entertainers era was built . Keegan even said he was his best ever signing and the guy saved us from dropping into England’s 3 tier of football Kevin Kilcline . The guy was one of the most fearsome CB’s to play for us .
@gary
I personally didn’t see Speed as a defensive midfield player, more box to box, speed was magical at times a real honest player who gave heart in every performance, but for defensive midfield capabilities Tiote is the best I have seen for us, along with Batty, Tiote runs around the pitch like a lion, he honestly strikes fear into opponents, a lot of pundits say Makalele was the best and always refer to that role as ‘the makalele role’ but for me Tiote is even better
WOLFIE – I’m not trying to talk down Cole’s ability, I just think Tino had more.
POOTLE – I agree completely. It’s sad to think he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
I’d still have to put Big Al above pedro, with Speedo and Nobby thrown in a bit higher. Not so sure about Asprilla really, possibly the best hatrick in NUFC history but a top 10 player? Hmm, I’d probably have Robert…although its kind of the same thing..
KIMTOON – Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Oh christ yeah…I didn’t even realise Cole wasn’t in there. He’d have to be above Asprilla and Les for me…
NEWKIE – Now I can understand Cole being higher than Tino, but Sir Les? Please no!
Good shout putting Speedo in there mate. Bit of an unsung hero. Fantastic pro and scored a few crackers for us
Nice list. 
Gary-I think its just that Les rarely had “time to shine” as it were, he was always in the shadow of Shearer, and he just a less ability. Cole on the other hand fired us to promotion and then almost to the top of the league. 44 or some league goals in a season is immense, and I honestly think if we’d kept him we may well have won the league
I mean obviously Les had a great first season, and was a star in some results in our second like thrashing tottenham but I just sort of forgot about him after Shearer came in….bit harsh like but call it the fickleness of youth
NEWKIE – Your thinking makes perfect sense. However, Cole would have been in Shearers shadow too. For me, it’s very rare that you get two strikers both scoring goals and performing well as a partnership without one taking away from the other. So the fact that Sir Les was able to play a long side the Premier League’s greatest ever striker and still put in top notch perfornances week in week out is a real testament to just how good he was.
Many other strikers would have crumbled playing with Shearer, just look what it’s done to Shola!
peter beardsley- number 1 any day, in fact, you ask liverpool, everton fans the same thing, 9 out of 10 will have the little genius in thier teams too.. just hope he unearths a couple of gems in the youth set ups!!
Put it like this, it would be very rude to say Beardsley is Messi-esque as it is very much the other way round!
AXEL @80 you obviously never saw Mcgrath or Mcnamee
Not much more to add to that top 10.
Beardsley for me, best my a million miles.
Rob Lee, amazing and consistent.
Ginola, sheer class.
Shearer and Ferdinand speaks for itself.
Tino Asprilla I would prob change for Colocinni.
Kieran Dyer and David Batty? are people for real???
Some maybe not so great players since 1990 that helped shape our club by either goals, performances or consistency that will always go along way in my memories…
Pavel Srnicek
Gavin Peacock
David Kelly
Nikos Dabizas
and not forgetting Liam O’Brien and Andy O’Brien……..
Hbkvic@95, Ah spot on peacock was cushdy nick the greek great and the obrians were mackam killers.
And I agree batty ! Good goal against wimbledon tho and dyer nah average with pace .
As for colo I pray he stays he has the potential to be a true legend for the toon .
Ginola’s the best player I’ve seen in black and white. Outrageously talented and used to eviscerate RBs all over the land.
Special mention for David Kelly too, a pure goalscorer who played a huge part in first keeping us up and then getting us promoted. Cheers Ned!
http://url7。me/Vlk4
Nice one Gary, well thought out and appreciated. I missed this one. You need to have a word with Uncle Toons over story placement. Shit loads of real good posts fall by the wayside on here.
In my own opinion, there’s no need for more than two stories a day. The banter is always there, regardless. We all watch Newsnow anyway.
….OK, 3.
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