1907 George Nevin born, Lintz Colliery, Durham. 
(1928-30)

Left back who signed for Newcastle United in 1925 but failed to break into the first team and returned to local football.

A second stint at Gallowgate from 1928 proved to be more successful and he managed half a dozen outings before moving on to Sheffield Wednesday in 1930.

Again though Nevin struggled to hold down a place and he joined Manchester United, only to later return to Hillsborough. 

Finally getting a run of games for Burnley, George joined Lincoln City in 1937 and was on the books of Rochdale when league football was suspended early in the 1939/40 season due to the onset of WW2.

After retiring from football, Nevin settled in the Sheffield area, passing away in 1973. 

1929 Ivor Allchurch MBE born, Swansea.
(1958-62)

Our record signing when joining for £28,000 from Swansea Town in October 1958, Ivor was a crowd favourite in the four seasons he played at SJP - even if United suffered the agony of relegation in 1961.

Appearing in the 1958 World Cup Finals for Wales prior to his arrival at Gallowgate, his 68 caps was a record haul at the time and led to his nickname of "The Golden Boy of Welsh football".

United succeeded where Wolves had failed with a £28,000 bid and Ivor's debut came in a 3-1 home victory over Leicester City in October 1958, scoring twice.

Although well regarded by Newcastle fans, Allchurch played for the club during a low point in their history and relegation came at the end of the 1960/61 season.

Leaving United for Cardiff City in August 1962, Ivor was awarded the MBE four years later, by which time he'd returned to play for his hometown club once again.

Moving on to Worcester City in 1968, Ivor also played for Bishoptown, Haverford West and Pontardawe Athletic and was still turning out on his 50th birthday.

Ivor passed away in 1997 and a statue in his honour was unveiled outside Swansea City's Liberty Stadium in 2005 - with a contribution to the costs of construction forthcoming from Newcastle United.

1944 John Markie born, Bo'ness, Scotland. (1962-64)

Right half who signed for Newcastle at the age of 15, having appeared for Scotland Schoolboys. 

John was part of United's 1962 FA Youth Cup winning squad but made only two first team starts, both during the 1963-64 season and both ending in defeats.

Following the arrival of Stan Anderson, Markie left on a free transfer, signing for Falkirk, serving the Bairns for over a decade and setting their appearance record. 

A switch to Clyde in 1976 was followed by a brief spell at Stenhousemuir that was curtailed by a leg injury sustained while playing against Queens Park at Hampden.

Following that Markie joined the Dundee coaching staff and coached various junior football sides in Tayside, later scouting for Arbroath.

Away from football, John worked in the petrochemicals industry at Grangemouth.

1962 Andy Thomas born, Eynesham, Oxfordshire. (1986-88)  

Midfielder signed from Oxford United after impressed in games against United - notably a League Cup tie at The Manor Ground in October 1985, when he netted twice.

Loaned out to both Fulham and Derby County during his time at Oxford, Andy debuted for the Magpies in a 1-0 home victory over Wimbledon in October 1986.

He's remembered for a brief golden spell in front of goal soon after moving to SJP, scoring twice in successive games against Chelsea, West Ham United and Everton - the latter in a Full Members Cup tie.

However his second season at SJP was dogged by injury and Thomas played only four times in the league - what proved to be his final outing coming away at Portsmouth in May 1988.

Thomas moved on to Bradford City ahead of the 1988/89 season and later played for Plymouth Argyle.

A switch to non-league Thame United and then Oxford City then saw him take over as manager of the latter, guided them to the 1995 FA Vase final. He later took charge of Brackley Town - another side whose home ground is named St. James Park.

1977 Sylvain Distin born, Bagnolet, France. (2001-02)

Arriving on loan from PSG with a fine reputation and a Champions League pedigree, centre half Distin debuted in the 89th minute of an eventful 4-3 home win over Manchester United in September 2001 - although never actually touching the ball.

34 more appearances followed, during which the left-footer displayed good aerial skill and a fair turn of pace for a big man.

However, Distin appeared to possess all the attributes a professional footballer needed, apart from any shred of loyalty or devotion to the cause. 

Rejecting a move to Bolton Wanderers before following Laurent Robert from Paris to Tyneside, it was thought Newcastle had first choice on a permanent move, only for the player to stall on signing - allegedly due to the size of his wage packet.

That prompted press speculation he was being hawked to the highest bidder and as the season concluded, claims were made that among others, Bolton (again) and Blackburn Rovers were keen.

Ultimately though, Distin joined Kevin Keegan's newly-promoted Manchester City, claiming that the fans only knew one side of the story and Newcastle were at fault for failing to conclude negotiations to his satisfaction. 

That deal was to have ramifications for United, Sir Bobby Robson pushing through the signing of Titus Bramble from Ipswich Town to boost his defence. 

Distin's home debut the following season came against Newcastle - although he didn't have much defending to do on a day when his former side were woeful.

The ex-Magpie endured 90 minutes of sustained abuse from the travelling contingent at Maine Road that day - one greedy basket we think they shouted.

Distin exited Manchester City in similarly bad grace after running his deal down in order to join Portsmouth in May 2007. 

Winning the FA Cup with Pompey in his first season, he joined Everton in a £5m deal ahead of the 2009/10 campaign and spent six years at Goodison Park.

Making a free transfer move to Premier League newcomers Bournemouth during July 2015, what proved to be his 17th and last game for the Cherries came in the final minutes a 3-1 victory over Newcastle at Gallowgate the following March.

The conclusion of that season then saw Sylvain released and he then confirmed his retirement. He subsequently worked as a media pundit.

1997 Louis Johnson born, Middlesbrough (2014-16)

Striker who was handed his U18 debut for United during a 2-1 home win over Bolton during February 2014, agreeing a youth scholarship that summer.

A regular for the juniors during the following season, Louis was named on the bench for a first team friendly at York City in July 2015 - but wasn't called upon.

Appearing for the U18s that season but failing to feature for the U21s, Johnson was released by United in 2016.

A non-league career then followed at Thornaby, Billingham Synthonia, Marske United, Guisborough Town and Bishop Auckland - netting a seven minute treble for the latter against Tow Law in 2023.

2006 Aidan Harris born, sunderland
(2017-present)