With the assistance of our readers, Mail Sport aims to discover the greatest player of all time from each of the 20 Premier League clubs.
Today, we turn our attention to the legends of Newcastle United, from the creator of the offside trap, William McCracken, to Jackie Milburn and Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer, Alan Shearer.
Once you’ve decided who stands out as the best, don’t forget to cast your vote.
Newcastle United’s trophy cabinet tells a lopsided story; all four of their league titles were won by 1927, and they haven’t claimed any silverware since 1969. Nonetheless, the club has produced a wealth of individual talent, often donning the iconic No. 9 jersey.
Bill McCracken, a Northern Ireland defender, had a substantial impact on the game, collecting three league titles and an FA Cup during his remarkable 19-year stint at Tyneside, beginning in 1904.
‘Wor’ Jackie Milburn (right) has a stand named in his honor at St. James’ Park and is a beloved figure among Newcastle fans.
Alan Shearer never won any trophies with Newcastle but has no regrets about joining the club he supported as a child.
The stringent offside rules of the era dictated that teams were penalized unless there were three defenders (including the goalkeeper) between the attacking player and the goal.
McCracken implemented a strategy that increased the frequency of offside calls and decreased goal-scoring, making him a controversial figure at away games, while Newcastle fans adored him. In 1925, The FA lessened the offside rule to allow one defender plus a goalkeeper, a regulation still in effect today.
While McCracken was a pragmatic player, striker Hughie Gallacher, in the 1920s, was the epitome of the great Scottish entertainers and turned the black-and-white No. 9 jersey into one of English football’s most renowned.
He joined the club for a record £6,500 in December 1925 and ended that season as Newcastle’s top scorer, captaining the team the following season to their last league title.
Despite standing at only 5ft 5ins, Gallacher possessed immense self-confidence, scoring 36 goals in the championship season, including a decisive winner against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park.
Newcastle’s legacy in the FA Cup was marked by success, with Jackie Milburn becoming their leading star, guiding the team to three cup victories in five seasons (1951, 1952, and 1955).
A fan favorite, “Wor” Jackie was known for his incredible speed and powerful shots. He netted both goals in the ’51 final against Blackpool and set the record for the quickest goal in an English final with his opening strike against Manchester City just 45 seconds into the match four years later.
Milburn amassed over 200 goals for Newcastle, drawing tens of thousands to his funeral in 1988. A stand at St James’ Park proudly bears his name.
At only 5ft 5ins, Hughie Gallacher possessed remarkable self-belief, scoring 36 goals in the championship season.
Bobby Moncur (left) was the last Newcastle captain to lift a trophy while Malcom Macdonald (right) made an unforgettable debut by scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool.
The last captain to lift a trophy for Newcastle was Bobby Moncur, the inspirational leader behind their 1969 Fairs Cup victory. Notably, despite not being a known goalscorer, he netted three times in the two-legged final against Ujpesti Dosza of Hungary.
A formidable tackler with a commanding presence in defense, he also led Newcastle to the FA Cup Final in 1974, which they lost to Liverpool.
At that point, the number 9 jersey was worn by the flamboyant Londoner Malcolm Macdonald, known as ‘Supermac.’ He kicked off his career with a memorable hat-trick against Liverpool on his home debut in 1971, calling it the “stuff of dreams.”
Macdonald went on to score 138 goals in five seasons in the northeast, earning near-mythical status on Tyneside during a time when the team was not competing at the highest level.
Despite playing in a couple of cup finals, Macdonald’s only regret was never winning a trophy. During his time at the club, he also scored a record five goals for England in one match against Cyprus.
Kevin Keegan made headlines worldwide when he joined Newcastle, then a Second Division club, in 1982—just three years after being named European Player of the Year.
Under Keegan’s leadership, the team surged to promotion, with him spearheading a formidable forward line alongside Chris Waddle and Peter Beardsley, later gaining fame in his two managerial stints.
Beardsley, a stellar teammate of Keegan’s, returned to Newcastle in 1993 after enjoying success with Liverpool, Everton, and England to assist Keegan as manager.
Kevin Keegan (left) and Peter Beardsley (right) formed an illustrious attacking partnership at St James’ Park.
Keegan (second left) observes as Grimsby goalkeeper Nigel Batch intercepts a cross.
An unselfish forward ahead of his time, Beardsley excelled in creating as well as scoring goals by adopting a deeper role as a No. 10. He formed a prolific partnership with Andy Cole, helping Newcastle secure promotion to the Premier League and was a vital part of the team known as the “Entertainers” that nearly clinched the title from Manchester United in 1996.
The star of this ensemble was the flamboyant French winger David Ginola, who acclimatized to English life by binging on episodes of Only Fools and Horses with teammate Steve Watson.
While Ginola’s flair dazzled fans, the strikers were quick to remind him they preferred a straightforward cross to his elaborate dribbling.
In a groundbreaking move, Newcastle shattered the world transfer record by signing Alan Shearer for £15m post-Euro 96. Shearer made the bold choice to reject Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United to fulfill his childhood dream.
He went on to score 206 goals for Newcastle, surpassing Milburn’s record, and holds the Premier League record of 260 goals (including those scored at Blackburn).
Shearer was versatile, scoring a variety of goals, including long-range shots reminiscent of Bobby Charlton’s style. Although he missed out on wining medals, losing twice in FA Cup finals, he led the club into the Champions League and gained the unwavering affection of the fanbase.
Reflecting on his choice to join Newcastle, Shearer stated, ‘If I had to make the same decision, I would. I cherished my 10 years at Newcastle, even though we didn’t win anything.’
David Ginola’s flair captivated English fans, and he adapted to life in England by watching episodes of Only Fools and Horses.
Shearer scored 206 goals for Newcastle and remains the Premier League’s all-time top scorer.
Poll
Who is considered Newcastle’s greatest player ever?
- Kevin Keegan 73 votes
- Peter Beardsley 59 votes
- David Ginola 24 votes
- Alan Shearer 336 votes
- Other 59 votes
Poll
Who is Newcastle’s all-time greatest player?
- Bill McCracken 16 votes
- Hughie Gallacher 16 votes
- Jackie Milburn 272 votes
- Bobbie Moncur 16 votes
- Malcom Macdonald 71 votes
To cast your vote for the greatest Newcastle United player, click on the voting button or email greatest@dailymail.co.uk to nominate someone not listed in the choices.
We will announce the results for the greatest all-time player for all 20 Premier League clubs before the commencement of the 2024/25 season.
