The Five Greatest Newcastle Players of the Premier League Era
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…
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.
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Any player who played with Beardsley has nothing but admiration for him. He was a player who not only performed brilliantly individually but made other players around him better. Andy Cole attributes much of his success when at Newcastle to Beardsley’s vision and creativity.
Excellent when striking the ball with either foot, Beardsley was able to pass the ball beautifully. For all of Beardsley’s assists for Cole, it’s a sumptuous cross he delivered for Ferdinand to powerfully header home against Aston Villa that sticks in my mind for underlining Peter’s ability to ‘stick it on a sixpence’.
Perhaps Beardsley is best known though for his dribbling ability and in particular that trick he did when he used to cock one leg back before quickly shimmying the ball between feet. Defenders were powerless to stop him, even though they had seen him perform the manoeuvre so often before, they were bamboozled by the speed. One great example of this amazing foot speed was when Pedro scored against Bolton, entering the area, Beardsley quickly tapped the ball from instep to instep so rapidly it sent two or three defenders into psychological despair, one of them stumbling to the floor as if they had just been caught with a classic combination by the late Muhammed Ali. It was truly magnificent stuff from Beardsley.
His character was excellent too. Less ‘in your face’ as others, Keegan still referred to Beardsley as a general leading from the front. He was a good captain because the other players had respect for his ability. Beardsley was also very respectful to his fellow professionals and enjoyed helping and supporting the younger members of the squad. He also considers Newcastle to be his club and has tremendous adoration for it. Yep I’ve got no problem sticking Beardsley in my top 5.
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Rob Lee might be one of the most underrated players of the Premiership era. He was certainly far too often overlooked at international level in favour of more household names. At club level Lee was magnificent, a driving force from midfield with an extraordinary ability to score and create goals. You may not partner Lee with the technical skill of Ben Arfa or the range of passing of Cabaye but Rob Lee was an all-round midfielder who did everything to a very high standard. His passing was excellent because he hardly ever gave the ball away. He knew when to release a pass and when to hold on to it, possessing that brilliant turn with the outside of his right foot to change direction in an instant. He was a supremely intelligent footballer who had tremendous consistency.
He also developed his game beautifully evolving from attacking midfield to holding, forming a great partnership with Gary Speed in the Robson days. Previous to that, Lee also had a run in with Gullet who disgracefully refused to give him a squad number. Robson instantly reinstated him to the squad when he took over from the disillusioned Dutchman. But Lee’s greatest days for the club undoubtedly came under the guidance of Keegan as United drove towards the top of the Premier League in the early to mid 90s. In the ‘So Close’ season many praised Ferdinand and Ginola in the early months, and rightly so, but Lee was in incredible form. Keegan described Lee as ‘the best midfielder in England’ half way through that season, and his performances cemented that. For some reason the media never really embellished Lee’s ability in the same way they did with other players of the era. And so, Rob was left as the nation’s understudy to players with bigger names, if not superior talent.
But for Newcastle, Lee continued to be an instrumental player. His link up with his pal Shearer was clearly evident in some of Shearer’s greatest goals as Lee laid on some superb assists for our record scorer. He was an adopted Georgie too, with a clear affinity with the club and the people of Tyneside as he did more than his fair share for the community.
A great player, Newcastle stalwart and a gentleman, Rob Lee comfortably makes my top five.
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One of the greatest to put on the black and white shirt, Ginola had it all. Grace, skill, charisma and ability in abundance, he was a dose of continental flair to the entertainers who so nearly won the title back in ’95. Equally impressive on either foot Ginola terrorised Premiership defenders who had simply never come against his kind of brilliance before.
Criticised by some for diving, Ginola certainly took a lot of fouls as defenders struggled to cope with his exceptional dribbling ability. Being so adept with both feet gave Ginola the advantage of taking on full backs with the option of going out wide or cutting back inside. Many managers quickly decided to double up on Ginola, it didn’t make much of a difference as he nonchalantly skipped past them both before whipping in beautiful crosses for the likes of Ferdinand to attack.
Many will remember his right footed goals against Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United live on Sky but my overawing memory of Ginola was one of the greatest goals I have ever seen when he scored an unbelievable volley against Ferencvaros in ’96. If you have never seen it or have simply forgotten it, I implore you to youtube it right now. After a corner is half cleared, Ginola thighs it under control before clipping it magnificently over the onrushing defender with his right before volleying with the left foot from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net. It is majestic stuff from a genius.
I also remember him skipping beautifully past a sliding Gary Neville during the United 5-nil thumping at St. James’s Park. At his enigmatic best, Ginola was a world beater. A player of the highest calibre. Unfortunately, he found things increasingly difficult on Tyneside, particularly after Keegan left and Dalglish arrived. The lure of London and a manager who didn’t appreciate his lack of defensive duty finally saw Ginola move to Spurs after just two memorable seasons on Tyneside. For his ability alone he should make the top five.
To hear of his recent medical concerns was really saddening and Newcastle fans will wish him a full and speedy recovery.
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Goalkeepers hardly ever get the recognition they deserve. For some reason, the position doesn’t seem to be as highly valued as outfield positions despite the fact that games can be won and lost by crucial intervention from goalies. Newcastle have been pretty well stocked in the ‘keeper area during the Premier era, but Given was the pick of the bunch serving the club for ten years.
Signed by Dalglish from Blackburn Rovers as a young goalkeeper, Shay developed into one of the league’s finest. Even though, between the sticks, he didn’t look particularly tall, he wasn’t small and had no difficulty taking crosses or commanding his area. He was accomplished in every goalkeeping department. A decent kicker with either foot, his distribution was good. Quick off his line and razor sharp reflexes, Given was top class. Perhaps his greatest attribute though was his shot stopping. His agility was amazing allowing him to reach shots that would have beaten many other goalkeepers.
His loyalty also played a part in my selection, staying on at Newcastle for a decade despite the club falling dramatically from grace whilst he was there. The recession of Newcastle following the Robson days hurt Given badly. He loved the club and to see it crumble eventually forced Given to reluctantly head for pastures new as he knew Newcastle could no longer provide him with the opportunities to win things he so dearly craved. The moment I realised Shay would leave was when Liverpool thumped a desperate Newcastle at St. James’ Park 5-1 back in December 2008. Given made a series of exceptional saves during the match and the dejection on his face was clear as the men in front of him left him so horribly exposed. He soon departed for Manchester City.
At his best for Newcastle, Given was right up there with the top three goalkeepers in the league. Newcastle did well to hold onto him for so long. He was dedicated, hardworking and influential. Newcastle let him down in the end, failing to match his ability and ambition. Shay was a brilliant goalkeeper and keeps a lot of excellent players out of my top five.
Substitutes
They may not have made my top five but I have to mention a couple of players who almost made the list.
Sir Les Ferdinand; keeping Les out was painfully difficult as he was one of my favourite ever players. The best header of a ball I’ve ever seen, Ferdinand was a machine. His pace and power was phenomenal and he was only kept out of my top five by the great Alan Shearer.
Tino Asprilla; possibly the most gifted player to ever pull on the black & white jersey. Tino could do things with a football other footballers could only dream about. He was an amazing player, who was also totally bonkers. On his day, as Barcelona found out, Asprilla was unplayable. The Colombian became a bit of a cult hero on Tyneside. If you are a young Toon fan, get on youtube and check him out…he was amazing.
