Newcastle's best ever XI ... The right-back 🤜 | OneFootball

With football remaining on hiatus for the time being, we’ve been mulling over a best ever Newcastle XI.

Today, we’re picking the right-back.

Here are the nominees …

3rd – Bobby Cowell

Following the end of World War II, Cowell took over the right-back berth at the club and held it for a decade, establishing himself as a dominant force.

A former miner (not uncommon for players of the time), he displayed the same traits of bravery, hard work and dedication to his team that served him so well in his previous occupation.

Newcastle won the FA Cup three times in the first half of the 1950s and Cowell played every minute of each tie en route to all of those successes.

2nd – David Craig

What is it with players from Ireland and becoming iconic figures when making the move across the sea to England’s north east? David Craig is yet another.

He chalked up over 400 appearances for the club throughout the 1960s and ’70s and was a part of their side which brought home continental glory in the Fairs Cup.

A rarity for his time, Craig was an excellent defender who also offered a great attacking threat at the other end of the park too.

And the winner is … Bill McCracken

How influential was Bill McCracken, we hear you ask? So good that they literally changed the laws of the game because of him.

Due to how adapt the Irishman was at perfecting the offside trap when the rule dictated that three players had to be between the attacking player and goal-line, he almost single-handedly caused it to be changed to two defenders.

In all, he spent 19 seasons at the club, winning three league titles, an FA Cup and competing in two other finals as part of the outstanding early Magpies side.

The fact that his skills at catching players offside time and time again led to the sport being adapted is an astonishing achievement that few can claim.

Here’s how the team is looking so far …

GK: Shay Given RB: Bill McCracken

Check back tomorrow when we will be choosing Newcastle’s greatest ever left-back.