1968 Anthony Nesbit born, sunderland. (1985-88)

Midfielder who played in the Hylton Red House side that won the English Schools' FA Trophy in 1984, scoring once in a 6-0 final win over Stanground School at Roker Park.

Part of United's 1985 FA Youth Cup-winning squad, Tony's three first team appearances for the club were all in December 1986.

Coming on as a substitute at Charlton and then at home to Nottingham Forest, his only senior start came in a 2-0 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday.

Forced to cut short his professional career due to serious knee injuries, Nesbit joined the police force on wearside, playing on in the non-league for both Brandon United and Seaham Red Star.

2025 saw Tony publish a novel under the pen name of Tom Hair, "Betrayed Trust" drawing upon his experiences in and out of uniform in his home town.

1969 John Gallacher born, Glasgow, Scotland. (1989-92) 

Wnger captured from Falkirk to provide a supply line for strike duo Mark McGhee and Mick Quinn, as United sought to make an instant return to the top flight.

A goal on his debut in a 5-2 home win over Leeds was followed by another the following week in a 2-2 draw at Leicester City.

Within months however, Gallacher was afflicted by injury and made just one appearance in his second season at SJP before leaving the club.

And it was almost another year before he appeared in league football again, making his debut for Hartlepool United against Reading in September 1992.

Suffering further injury setbacks with a persistent shin injury, Gallacher moved on to Kettering Town and Gateshead, before rounding off his playing career at Berwick Rangers - via a second stint at Falkirk.

Later reported to working as a supermarket Manager on Tyneside and living in the Denton area of the city, 

John's son Owen joined United's Academy in 2013 and made it through to the U23 side before his release five years later.

1993 Florian Thauvin born, Orleans, France. (2015-17)

United's fourth major signing of summer 2015 after Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba, Florian joined from Marseille for £12m plus a season-long loan for Remy Cabella to OM.

Signing a five year contract, the 22 year old French U21 international winger had been on Newcastle's wanted list since an abortive attempt to sign him in 2013.

At that point Thauvin preferred to swap Bastia for Lille and was loaned back to the Corsican club for the rest of that season.

Starring for France in the U20 World Cup that summer, a dispute with Lille saw him sold without playing a competitive game for them, joining Marseille in September 2013 for a claimed £9m.

Debuting the following month against Nice, he scored 14 goals in 75 league and cup games before agreeing a move to SJP in August 2015 and debuting from the bench during a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

All seemed to be going well when Thauvin netted in the opening moments of his home debut against Northampton Town in a Capital One Cup tie - having another one disallowed and supplying three assists.

However, that proved to be a high water mark for the player and he struggled to make an impact in Premier League games, making just three starts and ten outings from the bench.

Criticised by his own supporters during an FA Cup defeat at Watford, Florian made a hasty loan return to Marseille soon after for the remainder of the season.

Appearing in four pre-season games for United following his return, a loan deal incorporating a permanent sale clause was then agreed with OM in August 2016 and the deal was concluded the following year.

Despite several claims of a return to the Premier League, Thauvin remained at the Stade Velodrome and averaged a goal every other game as the end of his contract in June 2021 came into view.

He signed for Mexican side Tigres UANL in May 2021 but was sent off after just 35 minutes of his debut.

Florian's 30th birthday in 2023 coincided with confirmation of his release by Tigres and he signed fr Serie A side Udinese a few days later.

He left the Italians to return to France in August 2025, joining Ligue 1 side Lens.

Winning his first senior cap for France in June 2017, he marked his tenth outing with a first goal against Andorra in 2019, but had to wait until 2025 for another call-up.

PS: It's worth recalling the dress code that Thauvin and Chancel Mbemba observed for home matches at one point - presumably he'd have preferred a squad number of 007 rather than the 20 he was allocated...