1938 Dave Hilley born, Glasgow, Scotland. (1962-67)

An integral part of the 1964/65 promotion side, Dave Hilley was Joe Harvey's first signing in 1962, arriving in a £30,000 move from the now defunct Third Lanark.

Dave came to United's attention via chairman Stan Seymour's Scottish contacts and had made a positive impression when guesting in fellow Glaswegian Bobby Mitchells' benefit match at Gallowgate during October 1961. 

Scoring on his debut in a 4-4 draw with Cardiff City at Ninian Park in August 1962 season opener, playmaker Dave enjoyed his most successful season in 1964/65, scoring 12 goals and helping United to claim the Second Division Championship. 

Joining Nottingham Forest in December 1967, Dave netted on his home debut and remained at the City Ground until 1970. He later extending his career by emigrating to South Africa and playing for Highlands Park, Hellenic and Arcadia Shepherds.

Back in England, Dave joined Scarborough and entered the teaching profession on Tyneside, playing on with South Shields and briefly in the colours of Bedlington Terriers.

For many years, Hilley also reported on the fortunes of United and their local rivals for the "Sunday Post" newspaper.

2007 saw Dave pen "What Game?" a book recounting the story behind a series of unofficial international matches that he helped organise Spain from 1958 onwards - eventually falling foul of the authorities and receiving a hefty fine from the Scottish FA for appearing in an unsanctioned competition. 

1949 Alan Duffy born, Stanley. 
(1966-70)

England youth international striker who came through the junior setup at Gallowgate, debuting in a 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in September 1968.

Moving on to Brighton and Hove Albion in January 1970 following year, Alan completed half a century of appearances in midfield for the Seagulls before departing for Tranmere Rovers during 1971.

Spending the 1973/74 campaign with Darlington, Alan later then moved into non league football with Consett.

1952 Irving Nattrass born, Fishburn, Durham. (1970-79)

(we originally had this listed on December 12th - a longstanding error in various places that we are happy to put right!)

Another graduate from Newcastle's junior side, Irving debuted at right back in a 3-1 victory over Derby County at SJP in March 1971, replacing an injured John Craggs.

Appearing in central midfield and occasionally as a centre half, Nattrass first inherited the right back slot from David Craig during the 1973/74 season.

Injury saw Nattrass miss United's FA Cup Final defeat in 1974 while he appeared in the League Cup Final reverse two seasons later despite struggling with a knee injury.

Publicly urging United to appoint coach Richard Dinnis as successor to manager Gordon Lee, Irving's association with that "player power" episode saw him come into conflict with Bill McGarry and he joined Middlesbrough for a fee of £375K in August 1979 (Spurs also registering an interest due to their manager Keith Burkinshaw having previously coached Nattrass at United).

Going on to play over 200 games for Boro, a knee injury would eventually force him into retirement at the age of 33.

Overlooked for full international honours, Irving did play once for England U23s (and sat on the bench for three other games), but rejected an end of season call-up for a "B" team tour of Australia, which cost him.

While still a Newcastle player in 1978, Irving established "The Factory Store" clothing shop in Chester-le-Street and later opened six similar outlets in the region.

However, the economic downturn forced him to file for bankruptcy in 2012.

1968 Alex Mathie born, Bathgate, Scotland. (1993-95)

Striker who didn't make the grade at Celtic and moved on to Morton (with a brief loan at Port Vale) before being brought to Tyneside by Keegan in a £285K deal.

His chief claim to fame as a Magpie remains scoring on his debut at home to Sheffield Wednesday after appearing as substitute (although the fable of it being his first touch is incorrect- replacing Nicky Papavasiliou on 62 minutes, his goal was on 81 minutes).

However his second senior United goal was a lightning fast strike, appearing as an 86th minute replacement for Scott Sellars at SJP the following February and netting against Coventry City within seconds.

Never a first team regular (although he did manage to score away at West Ham in successive seasons), Mathie's final first team appearance came in February 1995 against QPR at Loftus Road.

And within weeks he was lining up against Newcastle at Portman Road, having joined  Ipswich Town in a £500K transfer.

Assured of legendary status in Suffolk thanks to a hat trick against rivals Norwich City, Alex also further endeared himself to Toon fans with three against the mackems.

Returning to Scotland in 1998 with Dundee United, further moves to Preston North End and York City following before a leg injury ended his playing days.

Living in York and working for the Royal Mail (with occasional radio pundit duties), Alex managed Spennymoor, West Auckland Town and Pickering Town.

1978 Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso born, Bafoussam, Cameroon. (2007-10)

Previously with Racing Bafoussam in his native Cameroon, Cerro Porteño (Paraguay), Gençlerbirligi (Turkey), Real Madrid (Spain) and the smoggies, Geremi moved to SJP on a free from Chelsea in July 2007.

Handed the captaincy on his competitive debut -a 3-1 opening day success at Bolton Wanderers - he claimed a first bona-fide Magpies goal away at Spurs in March 2008.

However, Geremi had already notched one in our favour back in 2005, when credited with an own goal whilst playing at SJP for Chelsea, diverting a Charles N'Zogbia corner into the Leazes End goal from close range. 

Fading from the first team picture at club level following the arrival of Kevin Keegan, Geremi retained his place for Cameroon and reached a century of caps against Guinea in February 2009 (he also won an Olympic Football gold medal in 2000). 

What proved to be a final top-flight outing came in a draw at Hull City in March 2009, restricted to unused substitute selections during Alan Shearer's time in charge.

Geremi then returned to the side following United's demotion, netting in a Carling Cup victory over Huddersfield Town at SJP in August 2009. 

However, he dropped out of the first team picture following defeat at Scunthorpe two months later, when his substitution brought ironic cheers from disgruntled Toon fans.

Relegated to the role of occasional sub following relegation to the Championship, January 2010 saw Geremi represent his country in the African Nations Cup for the seventh time - he'd made his international debut even earlier, back in 1996. 

To Newcastle's bemusement, Geremi was unveiled at a press conference as a new signing of Turkish side Ankaragucu - although a deal was then later concluded.

After barely six months of an eighteen month deal however, Geremi moved on to the Greek side AE Larissa - having featured in his sixth World Cup Finals that Summer.

Released in January 2011, he failed to reappear at another club; claims of a move to an Indonesian side never substantiated.

Geremi later became a Cameroon FA official and advisor to the player's union for that nation.

1980 Fitz Hall born, Walthamstow.
(2010)

Central defender who arrived on loan from QPR in January 2010 for the rest of the season, following Wayne Routledge from Loftus Road to Tyneside, having previously played in the same Crystal Palace side.

Released by West Ham as a youngster without earning a contract, Fitz joined Barnet and Chesham United. 

Chesham boss Bob Dowie recommended Hall to Oldham Athletic in 2002, where his brother, Iain was in charge. Later moves took him to Southampton, Crystal Palace (reuniting with Dowie) Wigan and then QPR.

Debuting for Newcastle in a 5-1 home win over Cardiff City in February 2010, Hall then returned to QPR at the end of the season and appeared for them in the Championship during the successful 2010/11 campaign.

He continued to play on under Neil Warnock in the top flight for the R's until the manager's departure and after not figuring in Mark Hughes' plans, Hall departed for Watford in July 2012 on a one-year deal that was later extended.

Hall left Watford in June 2014 and signed for Sunday League side Percival. He subsequently worked as a football agent.

1988 Jason Prior born, Portsmouth.
(2012)

Scoring regularly for Isthmian League side Bognor Regis Town, striker Jason was set to join Eastleigh in early 2012 before receiving the offer of a trial at Newcastle.

Despite making a scoring debut for the U21s in a 3-1 league win over Wigan at Darsley Park Prior failed to win a deal at United.

His display was noted by an AFC Wimbledon scout though and after signing a two and a half year contract with the Dons, his Football League debut came against Aldershot Town in January 2012.

Sadly that game saw Jason pick up a knee injury and after two months out he made his comeback - only to sustain a broken leg.

Released by the Wombles in May 2013 after ending the season on loan at Dartford, he later played for Gosport Borough (loan), Margate, Bognor Regis (loan), Havant & Waterlooville and Dorking Wanderers.

1991 Fabian Schär born, Wil, Switzerland.
(2018-present)

United's fourth capture of summer 2018 was a Deportivo La Coruna central defender who was available for a claimed £3.5m following his club's relegation from La Liga. 

Previously with FC Basel in his homeland and Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Fabian had moved to Spain in 2017.

A Swiss international, he started three games at the 2018 World Cup Finals and was also a part of the side that played at Gallowgate during the 2012 Olympic Games. 

Schar became a target for United following the sale of Chancel Mbemba and confirmation of Florian Lejeune's serious knee injury.

He first appeared as a second half substitute in a 0-0 friendly draw at Porto and then a competitive debut at home to Chelsea in August 2018.

A successful first season at SJP included four club goals, but 12 bookings officially made him our dirtiest player since Jack Colback.

The replacement of Rafa Benitez by Steve Bruce saw Fabian remain a first team regular and add another strike to his Toon tally before a knee injury sidelined him.

Eddie Howe's arrival saw Fabian installed as first choice central defender, successfully partnered mostly by Sven Botman during United's rise up the table.

An ever-present showing in 2023/24 came to an end after picking up an injury in the home victory over Fulham and the pick of some outstanding performances came against Paris St. Germain at SJP with the spectacular fourth in the 4-1 win.

An eventful 2024/25 season saw Schar sent off in the season opener against Southampton and receive 12 yellow cards and score six goals in 42 appearances, which included the Carabao Cup Final victory.

This season has seen Fabian score against Spurs in the Carabao Cup but will miss the semi-final first leg for picking up two bookings. He also lost his starting place after being concussed when the ball hit him in the head against Barcelona.

Schar helped the Swiss qualify for Euro 2020 and 2024 plus the 2022 World Cup, making substantial contributions in all of the final tournaments. 

He then announced his international retirement in July 2024 after 86 caps following a quarter final defeat to England on penalties - having netted during the shootout.