NUFC Live on ESPN:
Sat 11.02.2012 Spurs (a) 5.30pm
Sun 04.03.2012 mackems (h) 12pm

(Games announced up to 24.03.2012)

Mark Allison aka Run Geordie Run will visit Australia for his next charity effort, running 2,600 miles from Perth to Sydney in 2013. Click on the image for more details.  

1915 Norman Wisdom born, London. 

Toon sympathiser of long-standing who attributed his liking for the Magpies to the influence of a Geordie he served with during his army service. 

Norman died in October 2010 after years of ailing health, although rumours of his death in December 2008 (Sky news running a pre-prepared obituary) proved to be premature.

1938 Dave Hollins born, Bangor, Wales. (1961-67)  

Goalkeeper signed from Brighton and Hove Albion who made his debut in a 2-1 victory at Spurs in March 1961, saving a penalty from Danny Blanchflower at White Hart Lane.

However, United were still relegated that season and Dave won the first of his 11 full international caps for Wales in 1962 against Brazil as a Division Two player.

Moving on to Mansfield Town in 1966, Dave was loaned to Nottingham Forest and later appeared for Aldershot Town and Romford.

After retiring he worked as a painter and decorator in the Guildford area of Surrey.

PS: Dave skippered United against Chelsea in 1965, leading the side out alongside brother John who captained the home side.

1953 Alan Shoulder born, Bishop Auckland. (1978-82)

Although it was only back in December 1978, the tale of Alan Shoulder's belated introduction to professional football already seems to have come from another age.

A 25 year-old pitman (working at Horden Colliery after previous shifts at Fishburn and East Hetton), Shoulder also played for both non-league Blyth Spartans and Coundon club, having previously been at Bishop Auckland.

Standing at just 5" 5', Shoulder's rise came about as a consequence of Blyth's run to the FA Cup Fifth Round in 1977/78.

Watched by Newcastle boss Bill McGarry on the recommendation of Jackie Milburn in an FA Cup First Round replay at York City, Alan scored twice as Blyth lost 5-3.

Summoned to SJP soon after Shoulder agreed a deal on the Monday, signed in a £20,000 transfer on the Tuesday, trained with his new team mates on the Wednesday and debuted against Stoke on the Saturday.

Partnering Peter Withe, he scored his first Newcastle goal at Fulham in his second game and went on to become a crowd favourite. 

1982 saw Shoulder join Carlisle United, recruited by manager Bob Stokoe, departing as Kevin Keegan arrived at Gallowgate.

He returned to SJP the following year to net as the Cumbrians earned a 2-2 draw. Alan then repeated the feat at Brunton Park later that year as Carlisle beat the Magpies 3-1.

Remaining at Carlisle until 1985, Shoulder made 122 appearances and scored 33 times before switching to Hartlepool United.

Returning to the non-league with Ferryhill Athletic, Alan later held managed or coached at Gretna, Blyth Spartans, Crook Town, Blue Star, Coundon, Stanley United, Bishop Auckland, Willington and West Auckland.

A brief stint at Brandon United came in 2005 alongside fellow former Magpie Steve Howey.

Sent off at the age of 47 for fighting while playing for Stanley United against Dunston Fed, Shoulder appeared in the Northern League for Willington at the ripe old age of 50.

Away from football, Shoulder works in the family egg business at Leasingthorne, near Bishop Auckland.

1982 Kevin Gall born, Merthyr, Wales.
(1997-2001)

Welsh youth international striker who had been with Cardiff City as a schoolboy and cost the Magpies £50,000 in compensation when he moved to Tyneside.

Impressing at U17 and U19 level, Gall came to prominence in the FA Youth Cup during the 1999/00 season and broke into the Magpies reserve side.

A memorable appearance came in a victory over the mackems at Kingston Park in April 2000, when Kevin produced an acrobatic scissors kick soon after arriving as a sub.

A month later, he was again in the reserve side and scored again as Newcastle Blue Star were beaten 4-1 in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup at Kingston Park.

However, Gall failed to establish himself in the second string the following season, with the likes of Shola Ameobi, James Coppinger and Pablo Bonvin ahead of him.

Following his release from SJP in March 2001, Kevin joined Bristol Rovers after impressing the Pirates during the FA exit trials staged at Lilleshall. 

Dropping down to Conference level with Yeovil Town in February 2003, Gall's prolific scoring helped the Glovers into the Football League that season and they went on to win the League Two title at the first attempt.

Moving on to Carlisle United in the summer of 2006, Kevin spent three years at Brunton Park but was in and out of the team and loaned out at various times to Darlington, Lincoln City and Port Vale.

Having had an unsuccessful try-out with John Carver's Toronto MLS side, summer 2009 saw Gall a free agent.

After a brief trial with former club Yeovil, he signed for Darlington before returning to the Conference when joining York City in November of that year, agreeing a contract for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.

He signed for Conference club, Wrexham, in July 2010 but subsequently moved on to Workington and Guiseley.  

1992 Death of Alan Davies, 30. (1985-87) An inquest later recorded a suicide verdict.