1909 Samuel Weaver born, Pilsley, Derbyshire. (1929-36)

Left half who began his playing career with Pilsley Red Rose and Sutton Town before moving to Hull City in March 1928.

Transferred to SJP in November 1929 at a cost of £2,500, Weaver enjoyed a scoring debut for the Magpies, netting the only the goal of a win against Arsenal at Highbury.

Winning three England caps while at United, the highpoint of Sam's time in a black and white shirt was the 1932 FA Cup Final success at Wembley against the Gunners.

Finishing top scorer with 14 league goals in 1933/34, Weaver remained at Gallowgate following the club's demotion to Division Two, but after two unsuccessful promotion efforts he was sold to Chelsea for £4,166. 

Guesting in wartime for Southampton, Fulham, Notts County, Derby County, West Ham, Mansfield Town, Wrexham and Leeds United, Sammy signed for Stockport County in December 1945 - having refused a player/manager role at North Shields.

Following his retirement in 1947, Weaver returned to Leeds as assistant trainer, later moving on to Millwall.

Joining Mansfield Town in 1955, a quarter of a century serving The Stags followed in managerial, coaching and scouting roles.

Noted as an early practitioner of the long throw, Weaver had played county cricket for Somerset before WW2 and was Derbyshire CCC masseur for many years. 

Passing away in April 1985 at Basford in, Nottinghamshire, his ashes were scattered on the pitch at Mansfield's Field Mill ground.

1911 James Robert Richardson born, Ashington. (1928-34 & 1937-38)

Signed from Blyth Spartans for £200 in April 1928, inside-right Jimmy made a scoring debut for United in a 5-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers in September 1929.  

Richardson wasn't to become a regular starter until the 1931/32 season, when he was ever-present in our FA Cup campaign, netting a hat trick against Southport.

And that culminated with his appearing at Wembley against Arsenal and crossing for Jack Allen to score the winner in a 2-1 victory - the infamous "over the line" goal.

Capped twice by England while a Magpie, Huddersfield Town paid £4,000 for him in October 1934 following United's relegation.

He returned from the Terriers to SJP three years later and scored four times in 14 games before departing once more, this time signing for Millwall in March 1938.

War time football found Jimmy appearing in the colours of Fulham, Aldershot, Charlton and Leyton Orient and remained at the O's as player/trainer post-war.

Serving as Orient trainer from 1951 to 1955, Richardson then returned to Millwall in a similar role before ill-health forced him to leave in 1957.

Living in Bexley, he died in August 1964.

1919 David Stewart Hamilton born, Carlisle. (1939-46)

Outside right signed from Scottish junior side Shawfield in May 1939 who played in two matches of the abortive 1939/40 season, scoring in our 8-1 home defeat of Swansea Town in September 1939.

Appearing for United in the early weeks of wartime football leagues, Dave served with the Black Watch and was among thousands of troops rescued from Dunkirk in 1940. He also fought at Arnhem four years later.  

Recovering from a broken leg sustained during a match, Hamilton made occasional appearances for United and also guested for Southampton, Fulham and QPR.

Scoring on his final outing for the Magpies - a 1-3 Football League North loss at Preston in March 1946 - Dave joined Southend United two months later in a £100 transfer.

After just four matches in Division Three South though, Hamilton was released by the Shrimpers in the summer of 1947.     

Later resettling in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and working in insurance, Dave's death was reported during October 1978.

1963 Death of Frank Hudspeth, 72.
(1910-29)

1969 Terry Wilson born, Broxburn, Scotland. (1992)

On-loan from Nottingham Forest midfielder Terry celebrated his 23rd birthday playing his second game on loan for us as a Keegan -inspired Newcastle beat Bristol City 3-0 at St.James' Park (see below).

However, he wasn't retained after finding himself named as substitute for the trip to Blackburn Rovers a week later - reportedly telling KK that he'd rather return to Forest than be on the bench.  

Keegan later commented that Wilson "didn't realise, or even care, what a desperate situation the club was in."

Returning to the City Ground and appearing in central defence, a serious knee injury caused him to be released in 1993.

Playing for non-league Gresley Rovers and then Whitburn Juniors back in his native Scotland, Wilson subsequently relocated to the USA as a youth soccer coach.

1975 Clarence Williams Acuña Donoso born, Rancagua, Chile. (2000-03)

The man called "a monster" by then-boss Bobby Robson had a mixed time at SJP, scoring some vital goals and gave some steady performances in central midfield.

Beginning his career at the O'Higgins club in his native Chile, he moved on to Universidad and was capped by his country - appearing in the 1998 World Cup Finals.

Initially coming on trial, Acuna's acquisition in September 2000 followed a four month ban after testing positive for a banned substance playing for Chile in a World Cup qualifier against Peru.

A £960,000 transfer was swiftly concluded and Clarence debuted in a 0-1 defeat at West Ham in late October.

That made him the first Chilean to appear for us since the Robledos in the 1950s and he netted for the first time with a headed winner at home to Leeds on Boxing Day.

Spookily scoring in the same (44th) minute in the return at Elland Road, he then continued his Yorkshire vendetta with an equaliser at Bradford City in March 2001.

Beginning the following season with a point saving effort at Chelsea, Clarence also scored in wins at Everton and Spurs - although he appeared less frequently for the first team, slipping down the pecking order behind the likes of Jermaine Jenas.

Acuna ended a nine month wait for a senior start with a fine display in a home win over Liverpool on New Years Day - a game in which United were without messrs Dyer, Speed and Solano.

However, he bore the brunt of the fallout that followed our FA Cup defeat at Wolves in the very next game, ending that season out of favour and having never featured in United's fourteen European ties. 

Summer 2003 saw him linked with moves to Leeds United, Sporting Lisbon and various South American clubs, as Sir Bobby Robson  added Lee Bowyer to his midfield roster.

After a couple of third team games (for the club's short-lived Pontins League side, rather than the Premier Reserve League second string), Clarence was released from his contract in October 2003.

Press claims at the time had it that he would return home and be with his sick mother, but in the event he signed for Argentinean club Rosario Central.

Winning the last of his 61 caps for Chile in 2004, Clarence returned home the following year and joined Palestino. Two spells at, Union Espanola would then follow, sandwiching a spell at Concepcion.

2010 saw Acuna reportedly join yet another Chilean club, La Serena before finally hanging up his boots soon after.

He quickly reappeared at the O'Higgins club in Chile in a technical director role that lasted until his resignation in 2014.  

Clarence subsequently took up a position as Technical Director of CONMEBOL, the South American Football Federation).

PS: We couldn't pass up the chance to recall Acuna's brush with the law while a Magpie. Convicted of drink-driving, he was stopped while driving his car somewhat erratically - dressed as Captain Hook... 

1996 Robert Kenedy Nunes Nascimento born, Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Brazil.
(2018-19)

Newcastle's first arrival of the January 2018 transfer window was a left-sided Brazilian U23 international, signed on a half-season loan from Chelsea.

Rafa Benitez had tried to loan the player known as Kenedy in summer 2017 and met up with him, only for opposite number Antonio Conte to decide to retain him in his squad. 

Kenedy moved to Stamford Bridge in June 2015 for a fee of £6.3m from Fluminense, playing the first of 29 senior games two months later. He scored three goals.

A loan spell at Watford in the 2016/17 season ended due to injury after a single 15 minute cameo and he was in the Chelsea party for a pre-season tour of China - only to be sent home following some ill-advised social media postings about their hosts.

The fourth Brazilian to play for United after Mirandinha, Fumaca and Cacapa, Kenedy debuted in a 1-1 home draw with Burnley.

His corner kick led to Newcastle's goal that day - and he repeated the feat against Crystal Palace in his second outing.

Netting twice in a vital home win over Southampton, Kenedy's standing among fans was high at the end of the season but his sizeable price tag meant that no permanent switch was realistic.

A solution came in the form of a further loan to United, this time for the full season. 

That would be a major disappointment though, the player contributing little save for a goal at Manchester United and a cross at home to Bournemouth for Salomon Rondon to head in the winner.

Returning to Chelsea but still not part of their plans, Kenedy left on loan again in September 2019, headed to Spanish side Getafe.

And the 2020/21 season saw him remain in Spain, this time on a season-long loan to Granada.

A further loan followed, this time to Brazilians Flamenco in August 2021 but he was recalled by Chelsea in January 2022.

After a single league appearance against Watford, Kenedy left Chelsea in Summer 2022 and made a permanent return to Spain with Real Valladolid.

1998 Jamie Holmes born, Newcastle
(2014-17)

Attacking midfielder who agreed a two year scholarship deal with United, debuting for the U18s in a 1-2 derby loss at Whitburn in August 2015.

Jamie netted in successive games against Stoke and Bolton four months later and made his U21 bow in a Northumberland Senior Cup tie against Morpeth Town the following February. 

Plundering a 20 minute treble during a 6-0 academy home win over Arsenal, a stress fracture however blighted his progress.

Holmes became a regular starter for the U23 side during the 2016/17 campaign but was released by NUFC that Summer.

Later moves took him on to South Shields, Blyth Spartans, Darlington, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitley Bay and North Shields.