It was the Newcastle United home game against Man U when I made my debut at St James’ Park.
My Dad and me crammed into the Leazes circa 1972.
I was five years old and mesmerised straight away according to my old man.
As my love affair with all things black and white grew, I gradually realised my Dad’s true footballing affections actually laid elsewhere. About 12 miles away to be precise!
He actually only took me to St James’ Park cos he wanted to see Malcolm Macdonald …Thank God he did !!!
December 3rd 1977 was a landmark moment for me when my mate said he wasn’t going to the match cos his Dad couldn’t take us. Neither could my Dad so that was that, except…
It was the bottom of the table clash between us and Leicester and I was an old looking 9 years and 11 months. So as I was making my way to get the bus my heart was racing with nervous excitement. A couple of hours later I was paying to get into the East Stand Paddock.
The result made the hiding I got when I got home worthwhile. Mams aren’t stupid I suppose
1970s Newcastle United Hero
Anyway, later on in the 70s I played for my local boys club. Left back with a sweet left foot we came second in the league and my then hero Alan Shoulder presented me with a runners up medal. The league winners were Washington and they had a lethal young striker called Joe Allon up top.
1970s Cult Hero
The mild mannered wizard that was Terry Hibbitt. He may have ‘smoked like a chimney’ but just ask Supermac about his qualities…Burnley FA Cup Semi anyone?
1970s Villain
Gordon Lee/ Lord Westwood….Take your pick, both obsessive megalomaniacs.
Not so obvious 70s Villain
As a young not very good left back my new favourite player was Alan Kennedy. He’d made the number 3 shirt his after Frank Clark had departed, However, he saw the car crash coming and jumped ship to Liverpool…I was gutted.
1980s Hero
Arthur Cox arrived in September 1980 and most fans were underwhelmed. However, even though he looked like an extra from the set of ‘It Aint Half Hot Mum’, he slowly changed thinking and prepared us for dreaming…and that dream started on Saturday 28th August 1982 and I was there …The Keegan/Cox partnership had begun…but without Arthur Cox, well who knows?
1980s Cult Hero
As well as the likes of Gazza, Beardsley and Waddle I m going to throw in Wes Saunders. As my obsession with improving as a left back continued I had a new favourite player, a steady left sided defender who took no prisoners. He never reached the heights of others around him however and I was soon on the look out for a new number 3 to mimic
Not So Obvious 80s Villain
Big Jack Charlton came with a big reputation but just seemed to upset everyone, a time where I don’t remember much to be honest…
1990s Newcastle United Hero
Kevin Keegan changed this club, he was the one person I used to reference to all who would listen when our club was taken away. Others will have more to say but let’s just remember the tributes paid on his passing as a measure of the man…quite simply Legend.
Photo by Simon Cahill via The Mag
1990s Cult Hero
When I bumped into David Kelly in the NUSC fanzone in Paris before our Champions League game a few years ago, I told him what everyone seemed to be saying, In fact he was probably sick of being hailed a saviour by hundreds of drunk Toon fans. But he just blended in, cos after all, he is one of our own.
1990s Villain
Introducing another megalomaniac…Ruud Gullit…I ll never forget that team news in Idols the night of Mackems at home…His office door was as badly damaged as his managerial reputation the following day.
Not so obvious 90s Villain
Despite a glowing reputation Kenny Dalglish seemed intent on destroying KK’s good work. He never got it in my view.
2000s Newcastle United Hero
As we were heading for another trek into oblivion the club’s hierarchy eventually got its recruitment right as Sir Bobby arrived to steady the ship. As we know, he took us to another level and beyond…if only he could have been brought in earlier. As usual the club did its very best to undermine his achievements with later appointments.
2000s Cult Hero
Chris Hughton joined the coaching staff with no fanfare yet he left with dignity and humility after his sacking by Ashley…really nice people never fitted with our owner, oh and yes he oversaw the dismantling of the unwashed with that Halloween masterclass. Top bloke.
2000s Villain
As the Mike Ashley circus went into overdrive the appointment of Joe Kinnear took things to another level. Looking back now its hard to believe that he was anywhere near a Sunday league team never mind a Premier League outfit, however it summed up the times.
Not so obvious 2000s Villain
Sunday May 24th 2008 saw the Ashley era get its comeuppance as our meek surrender ensured our relegation. The lack of leaders at Villa Park that day was a microcosm of our season, but Michael Owen’s cowardice that day was a disgrace.
2010s Hero
I never expected Rafa Benitez to take up the challenge. But his experience and demeanour were just what was needed after Steve McClaren. A brilliant tactician and another one who was eventually sickened off by our owner.
2010s Cult Hero
Cheick Tiote was a very underrated player and his no nonsense performances from midfield led to glowing reviews. This culminated with the heroics against Arsenal in the memorable comeback game, however he has to take second place as cult hero to Hatem Ben Arfa. The mercurial Frenchman scored some truly outstanding goals and like all great players could turn a match on its head. Unfortunately his manager struggled to handle his talent and funnily enough we ll meet him soon…
2010s Villain
When Mike Ashley took control of the club, expectations were high, however it soon became clear that our new owner was only interested in asset stripping. He took this club back to medieval times and a lot of fans chose to vacate their seats never to return. As one mate of mine once said, “Going to the match is a chore that you cant get out of .”
Not so obvious 2010s Villain
Alan Pardew was another acquaintance of our owner who chose to join the Cockney mafia. His patronising tone and adherence to the party line warranted him an eight year contract. His true credentials were visible with his handling of Hatem Ben Arfa…criminal.
2020s Hero
Eddie Howe and NUFC were meant to be, both were in need of each other, they just didn’t know it. Culminating in the Carabao Cup Final, Howe climbed the mountain that his predecessors stumbled on. He also gave us our club back and provided us with some incredible nights and although we stumbled last season, I for one wish he was still here.
2020s Cult Newcastle United Hero
Amanda Staveley makes this for obvious reasons, things were never the same after she left, but Big Dan Burn for his talismanic talents and that Wembley header is out in front, another top bloke.
2020s Villain
Quite simply, anyone who was culpable in selling Elliot Anderson in that ridiculous deal. Yes he may not have been getting in our midfield at the time but the sale was a joke, as was the lack of a sell on clause.
2020s Not so obvious Villain
Richard Masters and his cronies, no explanation needed.