Spending three years as a professional at St. James’ Park, his astonishing natural talent was clear to see and Tottenham Hotspur snapped him up in 1988 before he had a starring role for England under Sir Bobby Robson at Italia ’90.Bringing French flair to the Entertainers side of the mid-Nineties, David Ginola joined Kevin Keegan’s side from Paris Saint-Germain. Born near Doncaster, he joined the club from Rotherham in 1952 and became an FA Cup winner in 1955. Here are the four that our panel nominated for your consideration.A tremendous shot stopper and one of the first names on the teamsheet between 1997 and 2009, Given clocked up 463 appearances in league and cup for the Magpies.
A hat-trick against Liverpool on his home debut signalled what was to come and he plundered 138 goals in only 258 appearances.Known affectionately as ‘Wor Jackie’, Milburn began life as a pit apprentice before becoming footballing royalty.
Ourexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. Bill spent an incredible 19 seasons at St. James’ Park.A cooled-headed defender, Nattrass added much to United as an attacking force in the 1970s as a forward-thinking full-back. The proud holder of 25 Northern Ireland caps, he was highly regarded for his professionalism.Belfast-born McCracken was one of football’s most influential defenders of his time. Known for his lengthy full-back pairing with David Craig, Clark was in United’s 1965 promotion-winning side before tasting success on the continent by lifting the Fairs Cup in 1969.Hudspeth holds the outfield league and cup appearance record for United, with 472 games to his name.
The European Footballer of the Year just a few seasons earlier, he was a true world star performing his trade on Tyneside and he led the team back to Division One with panache.
Despite his brief time on Tyneside being blighted by injury, his exquisite technical ability was clear for all to see and he was snapped up by Real Madrid in 2004.One of the most gifted English players of all time, Beardsley had two spells at St. James’ Park. St. James’ Park Strawberry Place Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST. ‘They are new to the English league, practically a different team to what we had. To be fair, Bruce’s connection was arguably better.For now, though, Bruce won’t mind that seven of his last nine goals have been scored by defenders.He and his players have responded to the ‘darkness’ of a 5-0 loss to Leicester in September with spirit and anger. Defenders are a funny breed, from out and out bruisers to gloriously gifted ball playing centre-halves, we have seen some of the best in the game ply their trade in these isles across the years.
The legendary Sir Stanley Matthews commented that Alf was ‘one of the best left backs I have ever played against’. We’ve got six center-backs on the books and five of them or injured. Brave, packing a ferocious shot and fantastic in the air, Alan was a tremendous captain for both club and country and remains a legend of the game.Only Alan Shearer and Jackie Milburn have scored more league and cup goals for the Magpies than Len White. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Praise indeed.A tremendous centre-half for Newcastle United, Frank Brennan was known as the ‘Rock of Tyneside’.
A Republic of Ireland legend, Given registered more international caps as a Newcastle United player than anyone else in the club’s history.Newcastle United’s record appearance holder, clocking up 498 games between 1904 and 1922. The Argentina international and Olympic Gold medal winner was named in the PFA Team of the Season after leading the Magpies to a fifth-place Premier League finish in 2011/12.A cult hero amongst United fans, Belgian Albert was a cultured centre-half who possessed an exquisite left foot. Despite competing against the great Pat Jennings on the international front, the Coleraine-born ‘keeper still picked up a respectable six caps.An incredibly loyal servant to the club, Harper spent 20 years as a Newcastle United player. He was unfortunate to miss out on the 1974 FA Cup final through injury but featured in the 1976 League Cup final defeat to Manchester City.Beresford joined United from Portsmouth in 1992 and his signing proved to be a masterstroke by Kevin Keegan.