“No other player in the world could have had such a dramatic effect on the club and its supporters”Arthur Cox, May 1984

Tyneside literally went crazy the day England skipper Kevin Keegan flew into Newcastle Airport to sign for the Magpies. Pressmen, radio and camera crews had a field day. It was a big national story. They chased him all over the north east in a vehicle procession that was more like the Wacky Races.

Supporters couldn’t believe it. From being in the football wilderness, United were catapulted into the spotlight. His £100,000 transfer from Southampton was a massive scoop and dramatically transformed Arthur Cox’s team into a winning formula - one that eventually took the club back to the First Division.

Keegan made all the difference. His captaincy, skill and charisma turned average players into good ones, indeed in two instances, international ones. He brought other stars to the St. James’ Park camp as well and also turned the despondent supporters into an excited and expectant mass. So much so that queues for season-tickets stretched around the streets of Gallowgate within 24 hours of his arrival.

His record in a black’n'white shirt was to be first class. After a marvellous start of three goals in his first three games, Kevin went on to net 49 goals in 85 appearances and importantly had much to do with the rapid development of Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley as superstars in their own right.

The son of a Geordie miner from Hetton, but brought up near Doncaster, Keegan made a name for himself under the guidance of Bill Shankly at Anfield after being introduced to the Football League by Fourth Division Scunthorpe United during 1968. More a self made player than one with tremendous natural ability, Keegan developed into a 90 minute action man. He was utterly determined with superb positioning and awareness of the ball while his finishing became deadly.

Once paired with big John Toshack in the Liverpool side, Kevin was rated the most complete forward of his generation. He won domestic and European honours at Anfield - including an FA Cup winners medal against Newcastle in 1974, a day when he demolished United. For a player of only 5′8″ tall, Keegan was good in the air too, using his stocky frame to launch himself in challenges with bigger defenders.After scoring 100 goals in 321 appearances for the Reds, he took the decision to sample European soccer in June 1977, joining SV Hamburg for £500,000. It was gamble, but Keegan was a rousing success in the Bundesliga and in the process became English football’s first soccer millionaire. Voted European Footballer of the Year in both 1978 and 1979, Keegan also became something of a pop star in Germany and almost qualified for a gold disc for one of his songs.

Tynesider Lawrie McMenemy was the man who landed Keegan once the striker decided to return to the Football League in the summer of 1980 - a surprise move, Keegan joining one of the lesser lights of the game. Kevin was a hit again.

He grabbed 37 goals for the Saints over two seasons and saw them reach a high placing in the First Division. He also picked up the PFA Player of the Year award. Appearing 63 times for Engalnd, Keegan was the ideal candidate for the national captaincy, possessing a friendly and likable personality. he became one of soccer’s greatest ambassadors at home and abroad and justly deserved the OBE in 1982 just before heading for Tyneside.

Joining Newcastle in August of that year with the financial backing of sponsors Newcastle Breweries who used the superstar extensively in public relations, the former England player may have pocketed a fortune, but as any United fan will admit, earned every penny of it.

The two years he spent as King of Tyneside were something special for supporters of the club - especially a new generation of fans who had not tasted success in any form. There was an aura of excitement in everything to do with Newcastle United. Chairman Stan Seymour said,”The signing of Kevin Keegan is just the impetus Tyneside needed to set local football alight again”.

And he was just that. By the time Keegan had departed Arthur Cox noted, “No other player in the world could have had such a dramatic effect on the club and its supporters”.

Importantly Kevin Keegan could communicate with the grassroots and rarely refused an opportunity to meet ordinary fans. He attended hundreds of functions and gatherings during his period in the North East and colleague Jeff Clarke said, “he never lost the common touch and that’s what made him great”.

Kevin ended his glory-filled 16 year career of more than 700 appearances and almost 300 goals in a black’n'white shirt immediately after promotion was secured. The 33 year-old said, “My only regret is that I didn’t come to Newcastle a little earlier”.

Afterwards he lived abroad for most of the year - in Marbella on the Costa del Sol - working in various promotional activities. Keegan had come a long way since the days he kicked a ball around for the the Peglers Brass Works in Doncaster. For sheer instant and explosive impact, Kevin Keegan was without doubt United’s greatest ever signing.

And a decade later Kevin Keegan proved to be a master signing as a manager too. Persuaded to take the job - his first as a boss - when the Magpies were facing relegation to Division Three in 1992. Keegan the manager again had a dramatic effect on the club. He saved the day, built a stylish team that lifted the First Division Championship and then challenged for the Premiership Title.

Thank you for All the Great Moments King Kev! You’re Always Be In The Heart and Soul Of All Toon Army!

Born and breed as a Geordie, Lee Clark joined Newcastle United as an apprentice in December 1989 and has made well over 200 appearances for his beloved club. Clark scores his first ever goal six weeks after his debut in the 1990/91 season.

A willing midfielder who can pass the ball accurately and looks comfortable in ball possession, he was one of the Geordies faithful favorite for his commitment for the club.

Although not in reguler first team choice, Clark has turn fown numerous offers from other club during his first 7 years with Newcastle United. It was simply because he wants to remain faithful for his hometown club.

It was long before the arrival of David Batty in 1996.

During the 1996-1997 season, Lee Clark found himself loosing his place to Batty and only made into the bench as substitute. He was still 24 years-old. Following the departure of Kevin Keegan in January 1997, Lee Clark being transfered to sunderland in the summer.

Although he’s wearing the different color with the Toon arc rival, Lee still a Geordie inside out, and his famous T-Shirt action while still playing for sunderland need no more prove that his heart still left at St. James’ Park.

He continued his journey to Fulham before making a return at the start of the 2005/06 season under Graeme Souness.

He was drafted into the coaching staff by Glenn Roeder when he replaced Souness, and as well as having first team duties he also took charge of Newcastle’s Reserve side.

Lee Clark recently reunited with Glenn Roeder as his assistant manager at Norwich City, having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Canaries side.

Left to right: Bobby, Joe Harvey, Malcolm Mcdonald
“The supreme sweeper and a most valuable asset both to Newcastle United and Scotland”
Joe Harvey, 1971

Bobby Moncur was one of the greatest captains ever to play for Newcastle United. He was a strong-tackling centre-back, commanding in the air and with an exceptional reading of the game. However, he will probably be remembered most for the hat-trick of goals he scored in the 1969 Fairs Cup Final against Ujpesti Dosza which won the trophy for United. Moncur himself was surprised by the amazing reaction to this European triumph:

“At the time I didn’t realise how important Europe was to the fans. It was only afterwards when I looked back at events and thought of the fever it brought to the area. I suppose supporters had been waiting for something to happen for a long time and the Fairs Cup was it”.

Moncur was born in 1945 and spent his early days in Perth, Scotland but later moved to Kirkliston just outside Edinburgh. Bob actually initially played at centre-forward and left-back and won Scottish international youth caps in these positions. Preston North End were the first senior club to take an interest in Moncur but Newcastle eventually came in for him and he moved to St. James’ Park.

He signed as an apprentice professional in October 1960 and began training with the likes of Ivor Allchurch and Len White, hardened professionals. Bobby played an impotant role in United’s Youth Cup run in 1962 and scored the winner in the final vs Wolves.

He made his full League debut as an 18-year-old the following season in a Division Two clash against Luton Town. However, Moncur proved to be something of a slow developer and was nearly sold to Norwich City for a mere £25,000. This deal fell through and made Bobby more determined than ever to improve his game. He eventually established himself in the No 6 shirt and Sir Matt Busby, the legendary Manchester United boss, was later to rate Moncur as the best in the business.

Moncur was to form a solid partnership with John McNamee in the 1967/68 season, sweeping up behind the tall centre-half. He was made captain of the side for the first time in February 1968 vs Arsenal and United went on to qualify for Europe at the end of the season.

His progress was also noted by Scotland and he was selected to play for their Under 23 side. Bob handled the responsibility of being United captain with immense pride and indeed only his boss, Joe Harvey, has captained the Magpies more than him. Moncur and Harvey made a good working team.

Bob won his first full Scotland cap in May 1968 against Holland and was taken to his nation’s heart after a gutsy display in 1970 vs England at Hampden Park in front of 134,000 fans. After only six games he was awarded the captaincy of his country to go with that of United. This gave him great satisfaction.

He led the Magpies to Wembley in 1974 but the defeat by Liverpool remains his greatest disappointment. Yet as he remembered, “The homecoming we received we’ll never forget…it will stay as my fondest memory”.

Moncur never played for United again after that FA Cup final defeat and he joined neighbours Sunderland for £30,000 after 346 appearances for Newcastle. He helped the Rokermen to promotion in 1976 and was voted their player of the season.

Bobby then dabbled in management with Carlisle United but proved unsuccessful and returned to his native Edinburgh to take charge of Hearts. He gained promotion for the Jambos as Division One champions but the club were relegated the following season.

He went on to manage Plymouth and later Whitley Bay and Hartlepool before finally quitting the game for good in December 1989. Bobby Moncur was a fine United captain and the Magpies will do well to find a skipper with such spirit and dedication as he.

Bobby Moncur Fact Files