Goals Galore – U4

“This painting is a celebration of Newcastle’s best period during the 80’s. A collage of some of the great players and a network of circles and dots representing goals”

• 1983-84 Promoted finishing 3rd
  Pld 42 W24 D8 L10 F85 A53 Pts 80

Up again (1976 – 1984)

At the start of the 1980s, United had declined dramatically and were languishing in the Second Division. Gordon Lee had replaced Harvey as boss, yet he in turn soon gave way to Richard Dinnis and then Bill McGarry. But it was Arthur Cox who steered United back again to the First Division with ex England skipper Kevin Keegan the focus of the side, having joined the Magpies in a sensational deal in 1982.

The football inspired by Keegan captivated Tyneside and United stormed into the top division in a style only bettered by Kevin’s own brand of football as a manager in the next decade. Alongside Keegan were youngsters Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle, as well as more experienced and older players including Terry McDermott and David McCreery.

Back at the top (1984 – 1989)

One of English footballs greatest talents, Paul Gascoigne or ‘Gazza’, emerged as a youngster at the club during this period, under manager Jackie Charlton (who later went on to take Republic of Ireland to two World Cup finals tournaments). Newcastle consolidated their place in Division One but then a period of selling their best players (Beardsley to Liverpool, and Waddle and Gazza both to Tottenham), rocked the club and led to supporter unrest, as did a share-war for control of the boardroom

The Magpies tumbled back into the Second Division in 1989 and over the next three seasons found themselves in a perilous state.

• 1988-89 Relegated finishing 20th
  Pld 38 W7 D10 L21 F32 A63 Pts 31