From the depths of despair to my five greatest ever Newcastle United goals | OneFootball

International break, time for a bit of chill out and Newcastle United reminiscing never harmed anyone, especially to take stock of where we are compared to the FCB reign of darkness.

From when I was a youngster, I have stood and gaped at our magnificent tribe, first ever match seeing Imre Varadi score four or maybe five against Hartlepool in a friendly at end of season, I think, early 80’s?

Thinking back over the decades of ups and downs, many more downs than ups, lowest ever was Aston Villa mocking us when we got relegated, I was dejected, but then really annoyed at their unnecessary goading after we went down.

The eighties were pretty bleak (but so then was the country) and with the turmoil over the McKeag board and lowly status, it was a welcome relief to herald Kevin Keegan to don our stripes and lift us up where we belong (apologies to Joe Cocker) and the fairytale was realised with Arthur Cox et al.

Then KK’s brilliant return as manager, when we were simply magnificent and ended up coming so close to winning the Premier League, only for a certain great Dane, who is in my opinion, the greatest goalkeeper I have ever had the pleasure/misery to witness.

I remember sitting behind the net when Pistone actually put a cross over and John Barnes, in the twilight of his career admittedly, leaped and headed the ball into the bottom right corner, only for Schmeichel to produce a worldie and parry it wide.

There was a cheer as we thought it was in; a very loud intake of breath, then applause for a save that I and the rest of us never thought possible.

We had Tino doing cartwheels after arriving in the snow in a fur coat, probably wondering “what on earth am I doing here?”

We had Barca, with my fellow countryman Keith Gillespie flying down the wing, Asprilla on a trampoline, we had Ketsbaia v Bolton and his celebration going nuts, brilliant, plus the fact he had to plead with the supporters for his top otherwise the game couldn’t begin again!

Remember the handbags with Bowyer and Dyer?

Then the infamous Question of Sport clip, where three players all ran over the ball with nobody to actually kick it?

Madness, never a dull moment.

Unlikely comeback against Arsenal, the great, late Tiote scoring a wonder goal, to finish four each, Shearer v Leicester a memorable hat trick, plus against Leeds.

As I wrote previously, I sat beside Asprilla’s dad (by good fortune) as I got a comp ticket from a friend who was on the staff at the time, when he scored against Forest (twice) and it was a lovely moment as the crowd sang, ‘stand up, if you’re Tino’s dad’, he was crying and what a moment…

Just after that, the crowd started singing ‘Peter Reid has a first division team’ as the mackems were relegated, we won 5-0 in the final game of that 1997/98 season and finished second in the league, KK having set us on our way before resigning halfway through, Dalglish coming in to replace him.

Shearer signing was an epic moment back in 1996, O’Brien(s) v the mackems, Shola too, so many more memories.

Hat tip to Bazoox, Whitley Bay was some place, the Hairy Lemon and Easy Street meant I couldn’t go wrong with my accent as the geordie lasses loved to hear the Norn Iron patter.

Then getting to the two FA Cup finals.

The semi against Sheff Utd was amusing as I was just out of the Army and a non-drinker, got the ferry over from Belfast and met up with a few lads from Blyth.

Good lads and when their designated driver famously walked into the wall coming back from the toilets, I was asked if I would drive their luxurious transit to Old Trafford.

I of course obliged and as we crept along Trafford Way, the side doors opened with a flurry of urinal fountains, much to the chagrin of motorists who didn’t appreciate our performance art.

I abandoned the van on or near a traffic island and left the keys in the pocket of the comatose (ex, now passenger), driver and joined in the happy throng marching towards our subsequent victory, one nil, thanks very much.

At the first final v Arsenal I sat beside a gooner who turned out to be from Armagh, my neighbouring county, small world and all that.

At half time I turned around and I met Robson Green and shared a few observations about inaccuracies in Soldier Soldier, he was a gentleman and listened attentively, especially basics like you never salute without head dress and so on…

Vieira was different class and despite the best efforts of our greatest ever striker, we lost 2-0 and again the year after to Man U, Keane pulling the strings and we sang ourselves hoarse, and here we are all these decades later.

If we take a step back and reflect, we are miles ahead of where we were back then, even with the excitement of the Keegan era, the statesman like authority of uncle Sir Bobby, we are on the cusp of great things.

It is said that great things come to those who wait.

Well, we have certainly been waiting a while, but I truly believe it is coming.

Bin the doom and gloom, keep the faith.

PS I thought I would kick things off with my top five goals witnessed for Newcastle United, interesting to hear in the comments what yours have been?

Ned Kelly against Portsmouth saving us from oblivion Shearer’s incredible strike against Chelski when he turned Desailly and belted it Pedro chipping Corrigan Shearer’s volley against Everton Keegan’s debut v QPR