After a sorry few seasons supporting this gruelling club, it’s time for a little indulgent nostalgia by remembering a few of the greats from the better days. Enjoy as we take a look back at some of our heroes from the Premiership years. Some excellent players narrowly miss out but here’s my top five…
Alan Shearer
There’s only one place to start isn’t there? Alan Shearer became Newcastle’s all-time record goal scorer in 2006 netting 206 goals for the club. That alone would set Shearer’s place in club folk law, but there is much more that cements Shearer as number one.
Club captain for several years, a leader of men, courageous, committed…a man who chose club over country. When others gave up, Shearer fought on like a bloodied warrior. It could have been very different. Should the club have backed Ruud Gullet, Shearer may well have been sold. Thankfully Gullet shot himself in the foot when dropping Shearer and Big Duncan Ferguson for the Tyne – Wear derby, which Newcastle subsequently lost. Gullet was disposed of and Newcastle hired Sir Bobby Robson. Shearer celebrated Robson’s arrival by scoring five against Sheffield Wednesday in his first game in charge. Shearer’s Newcastle career was back on track.
Big Al’s character was matched by his ability. Shearer’s right foot (no not me…his actual right foot) was mesmerising. He could strike the ball so accomplishedly in so many different ways. He could curl the ball with his instep (see his first ever goal for Newcastle against Wimbledon). He could swerve it with the outside (see goal vs Spurs in FA Cup Semi-Final), volley with the laces (goal vs Everton), volley with the instep (vs Villa and Schmeichel). He could place it and he could let fly with immense power. But the key to his success…he always hit the target.
He was solid with his left too and magnificent in the air. Considering he wasn’t the tallest of players, he had great timing and a desire to attack the ball.
Turning down Sir Alex at Manchester United in favour of a world record move to Keegan’s Newcastle in ’96, it’s a shame he was never rewarded with the silverware his talent deserved at Newcastle.
Talk that the FA want Rafa as England boss!!!
Icedog(Quote)
Gayle having medical at toon
Icedog(Quote)
RICHIE talking to the toon,looks like things are starting to happen at SJP
Icedog(Quote)
Hells bells Ice, it’s busier than a bloody Next sale at SJP today isn’t it?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
So we have signed a keeper who is supposed to be very good and look like signing Gayle and Ritchie. Now can anyone explain to me who Ritchie is as I am assuming he can’t get in the Bournemouth team which might bother me if that is the case…
Stuart79(Quote)
https://youtu.be/I2i-z2sUIGc
Stu – Matt Ritchie did that against the scum mate. He plays week in week out for Bmouth and I believe recently signed a new deal with them – so I was surprised that they would let him go. West Ham recently went in for him too, but obviously didn’t meet Bmouths valuation.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just reading that the Gayle fee is £8.5m as well. There will be a further million paid if he scores 20 plus goals and a further million if we get promoted.
I reckon that’s a pretty decent deal personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
W/Ham wanted to sign two of their players but got knocked back,so bid a maximum 8mil for Richie which was knocked back,looks like toon bid up to 12 mil which was accepted
Icedog(Quote)
Ime looking for a defender to come in after these two attackers
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I read that Grant Hanley is close to a done deal as well mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Haven’t seen much of him,do you rate him?? mate
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I think our central defence has missed a physical presence for a long time now – Hanley would certainly provide that. He’s far from technically gifted, but then neither is the likes of Huth & Morgan and they haven’t done too bad.
Id take him mate, coz at 24 I think he’s young enough to develop a bit as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cheers mate
Icedog(Quote)
I think there’s still a chance Townsend will stay – unless he fancies playing left back. Would love pardew getting the england job.
Watched the vids of the new goalie – seems like he never catches the ball, it’s all parries and push outs. Not sure on that one but looks like Rafa fancies him as No1. Richie’s a decent alternative to Townsend.
Georgio(Quote)
I know we have signed a goal keeper and looking like gayle from palace and townsend likely going the other way but our problem last season was defending so when are we going to see defeners come through the door
billy swallow(Quote)
Well I for one will miffed if Pards gets his mitts on Andros. Why would Andros wanna play under him instead of Rafa, especially considering how much their form dropped off last season under Pards.
Not sure about Gayle or Richie, will reserve judgement on them until I have seen them 5 or 6 games in. Got to agree with Billy, we need defenders in.
Kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/06/29/gayle-close-to-agreeing-terms-how-will-he-fit-in-at-newcastle/
New thread discussing Gayle’s imminent arrival, fill your boots!
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
Sharpy , that Farage link you posted, saw bit of it on the news. How to win friends and influence people lesson obviously passed him by. #******
Kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy: they all did it man. I know they could have been accused of being unpatriotic if they had said too much but they never questioned any of his stupid decisions. They all approved of him taking out of form and injured players, not taking any wingers, trying untested formations in the tournament and allowing Rooney to dictate where he played. Some, like Keown, actively supported these decisions and wrote columns explaining why it was better to take Wilshere and Henderson rather than Drinkwater and Barkley rather than Townsend. Now they are all acting like they never said it.
The tabloids are even worse. They all have their knives out now. They are a bunch of winps. They all saw the writing on the wall but said nothing. Maybe it is editorial policy but there are all these stories about discontent within the camp coming out now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Cheers Big Dave, I think Palace may well be relegation candidates next season and that might put Andros off as he won’t want to go through that again. Thanks for your comments Icedog too, you can go back a bit can’t you? Hopefully we’ll have a great season to look forward to.
SRF(Quote)