Four Newcastle United players I wanted the best for after they left St James’ Park | OneFootball

I had an interesting conversation recently with a few of my Toon supporting mates, about former Newcastle United players that we all genuinely loved, who left St James’ Park with our sincere and best wishes.

Four such Newcastle United players that we discussed, all played for Kevin Keegan in the unforgettable 1992/93 season.

Mick Quinn was the first one of an outstanding quartet to leave when he joined Premier League Coventry City, a few months into that promotion campaign.

Mick was a hero to us lads on the terraces, having bagged 57 goals in 110 League appearances for United.

He carried on banging them in again in the top flight, finishing that 1992/93 campaign with 17 Premier League goals for the Sky Blues.

Gavin Peacock, David Kelly and Liam O’Brien were three of the real stars in King Kev’s exhilarating First Division Championship winning side.

Peacock and Kelly though, wouldn’t get to play any part at all in Newcastle United’s first season in the EPL, 1993/94.

Gavin Peacock left the club in the summer for personal reasons, with the best wishes of his manager and everyone connected to the club.

He joined Glenn Hoddle’s emerging Chelsea side after scoring 35 goals in 105 appearances for United.

Whether it was foraging about as an industrious attacking midfielder, or playing up front as Kelly’s sidekick, Gavin will always be well remembered at Gallowgate.

David Kelly is a Toon living legend in my eyes.

He became immortalised in an emotionally charged and soul sapping day at St James’ Park, 25 April 1992.

His late goal against Portsmouth, saved Newcastle United from facing the prospect of relegation to the Third Division in our centenary year.

‘Ned’ Kelly as he was affectionately known, scored lots of goals in the promotion campaign. He was the club’s top scorer with 28 goals (24 of which were scored in the League).

Wolves snapped him up and David would later join Sunderland for a short spell. On his return to St James’ Park with the mackems, he was awarded a standing ovation when he came on as a substitute.

Issue 32 – December 1991

Liam O’Brien did get to play for Newcastle United in the Premier League and came very close to becoming our first goalscorer in our opening game against Spurs.

Liam’s free kick smashing off the post as United trailed to a Teddy Sheringham goal.

It wasn’t long after that though, when Kevin Keegan decided to accept an offer for O’Brien from Tranmere Rovers.

I loved Liam (still do), but KK knew best, possibly believing that his style of play wouldn’t be suited to the direction Newcastle were now heading.

Liam O’Brien’s name is still sang in the pubs and on the terraces and rightly so. He had a penchant for scoring some truly spectacular goals, and was of course a mackem slayer.

Signed by the interim management team of Colin Suggett and Mick Martin in 1988, Liam played for Bald Eagle Jim Smith, Ossie Ardiles and Kevin Keegan.

He had been through the ups and the downs and came out of it all a hero in the black and white stripes.

Let me know in the comments section below which Newcastle United players you admired and wanted the best for when they left United.