10 Greatest Newcastle United Strikers Ever
Newcastle United have had some great strikers over the years. From Hughie Gallacher to Alan Shearer, many legendary strikers have plied their trade for the club. In this article, let us have a look at some of the greatest Newcastle United strikers ever.
Considering the number & frequency of goals, success, impact, and longevity, here are the ten greatest Newcastle United strikers ever.
10. Neil Harris
Harris joined Newcastle in 1920 and spent the next five years with the club. He scored 19 goals in his debut season, top-scoring for Newcastle during the campaign. He also top-scored for Newcastle in 1921-22, and in 1923-24 with 23 goals each season.
In all he scored 101 goals in 194 games over five years with The Magpies, the most important of which came in the 1924 FA Cup Final win over Aston Villa.
9. Les Ferdinand
Les Ferdinand arrived from QPR in 1995, for a fee of £6 million but began justifying his price tag immediately. Ferdinand’s 29 goals in his debut season for Newcastle helped the Magpies come within touching distance of the Premiership title.
Ferdinand formed a lethal partnership with Alan Shearer the next season, with Newcastle being one of the most attacking teams in the country. In just 83 games for the club, Ferdinand netted 50 goals before he was inexplicably sold to Tottenham Hotspur in 1997.
8. Malcolm MacDonald
Eyebrows were raised when Newcastle United manager Joe Harvey signed Macdonald for £180,000 in the summer of 1971. A relatively big fee for a player who had never played in England’s top flight.
A strong, direct striker, Macdonald was an instant hit at St. James’ Park and his bustling style and pace, coupled with a lethal left foot, made him a fan favourite. Overall, he scored 121 goals in 227 matches for the club.
7. Andy Cole
Signed from Bristol City in 1993 for a club-record £1.75 million, Andy Cole took no time to settle down. Twelve goals in his first 12 games made him a star. Cole went on to become one of Newcastle’s greatest strikers, netting 68 goals in just 84 games for the Magpies.
His form encouraged Manchester United to bid £7 million for his services in January 1995 and the fans were left stunned. His performances for Newcastle see him comfortably make the list of greatest Newcastle United strikers ever.
6. Albert Shepherd
Having established himself as a top striker at Bolton, Albert Shepherd joined Newcastle in 1908. The forward hit the ground running immediately and became the first player in the club’s history to net 30 goals in a single season.
His form helped the Magpies lift the Football League title in 1909 and, 12 months later, he scored the goals that saw the club win their first-ever FA Cup in a 2-0 win over Barnsley. Overall, Shepherd spent six years on Tyneside and scored 92 goals in 123 appearances.
5. Len White
White signed for Newcastle, in 1953, who were on somewhat of a roll. He immediately slotted in upfront alongside Jackie Milburn. White established himself within the side but often played second fiddle to the headlines, despite chalking up an impressive tally of goals.
Once Milburn ended his career in the late 1950s, White took over as the leading striker and continued to improve his ratio of goals. He was instrumental during Newcastle’s FA Cup-winning campaign of 1955. His work in the Cup of 1955 earned him plaudits, and he didn’t stop for Newcastle until 1963.
4. Peter Beardsley
Beardsley signed for the Magpies in the September of 1983. He was very pacey, incisive, and skilful forward. He was an instant hit with the Newcastle supporters, scoring and setting up spectacular goals.
His first spell at St. James’ Park helped the club’s promotion to the top flight in 1984. During his second spell, Beardsley worked his magic once more during United’s first campaign in the newly-formed Premier League. Over two spells at the club, Beardsley played a total of 324 games and scored 119 goals.
3. Hughie Gallacher
Gallacher had excellent ball control, guile, and instinct, being able to go past opposing defenders with ease. Although a mere 5′ 5″, he was a huge threat for any defence as he possessed grand strike power. Gallacher could shoot with either foot, dribble with the ball, head, tackle and forage.
At Newcastle United, Gallacher made an immediate impact, scoring 15 goals in his first nine games. He ended the season with 23 league goals in 19 games, ending up as the club’s top scorer despite signing halfway through the season.
Gallacher had an excellent goal per game ratio, in 174 games that he played for Newcastle, he managed to score 143 times. His strike rate of over 82% is the most prolific in Newcastle’s history.
2. Jackie Milburn
Jackie Milburn was not just a great goal scorer but also a scorer of great goals, his second of the 1951 FA Cup Final against Blackpool was a 30-yard rocket into the top corner.
In 397 games for the club, Milburn scored 200 goals. In total, Milburn played in three FA Cup-winning finals for United; 1951, 1952, and 1955. By the time Milburn left Newcastle in 1957, he had become the highest goalscorer in Newcastle United’s history. He remained so until he was surpassed by Alan Shearer in February 2006.
1. Alan Shearer
No one has shaped the modern-day version of Newcastle United quite like Alan Shearer and he remains an iconic figure on Tyneside even years after his retirement.
During his time with Blackburn Rovers, Shearer had established himself as one of the best strikers in the league. It was in July 1996 when the Magpies beat Manchester United to Shearer’s signature, smashing the world transfer record to bring him home.
He went on to become Newcastle’s and the Premier League’s record goalscorer. He scored 206 goals for the club, of which 49 were scored with his head. Shearer is arguably the best striker the Premier League has ever seen.