1881 Colin Veitch born, Heaton.
(1899-1926)

Invited for a trial by Newcastle in September 1896 after facing them in a Northumberland Senior Cup tie for local side Rutherford, Colin Veitch signed amateur forms in 1899 and turned professional soon afterwards.

Debuting in a 0-1 home defeat to Wolves in October of that year, it took three seasons for the half back to become a regular in the side that finished fourth in 1904.

Then heralded an unprecedented period of success for the club and Colin featured in three League Championships and four runners-up finishes, plus five FA Cup final appearances (seven, including replays).

Captaining United to their 1910 success in the latter competition, Veitch was capped six times by England but found himself overlooked for selection after becoming involved in the Players Union.

Veitch’s final United game was at home to Everton in September 1914, and he served in the Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Later returning as trainer and coaching United’s juniors, Veitch became Bradford City manager in 1926 after controversially being given notice to quit Gallowgate. 

Reporting on United’s fortunes for the Chronicle upon his return, he was banned from home games during 1929 after criticising the club in print.

One of the most significant figures in the club's history, Veitch was also one of the founders of the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Involved in the establishment of the People’s Theatre in 1911, his interest in the arts extended to writing and composition.

Colin passed away in the Swiss town of Berne, where he had gone to convalesce from pneumonia in August 1938.

Publishing his obituary, The Guardian said: 

"One of the finest footballers in Britain. Veitch's name was synonymous with honesty and good fellowship."  

Thanks to the efforts of the Heaton History Group, a commemorative plaque was unveiled on Veitch's former house in 2013.

He was also selected as one of the club legends to be immortalised in banner form by the Gallowgate Flags group in 2016.

1901 Roddie MacKenzie born, Inverness, Scotland. (1922-35)

Signed from Inverness Clachnacuddin for £100 in September 1922 after previous service for rivals Thistle, right half Roddie Mackenzie was initially brought to SJP on a month's trial.

Debuting for the senior side in 1-0 home win against Huddersfield Town in April 1923, the tough tackler was a mainstay of United's side for a decade, playing his part in the 1927 First Division Championship success and 1932 FA Cup Final victory. 

Losing his place following Newcastle's relegation in 1934, Roddie played on for Gateshead and had a short spell at Reading.

1931 George Lackenby born, Newcastle.
(1950-56)

Full back who graduated from Newcastle's junior side and made his league debut in a 1-2 defeat at Spurs in December 1951. 

George however found himself restricted to occasional starts for the first team due to the consistency of Bobby Cowell and moved on to Exeter City in 1956 in a £1,500 deal.

Later appearing in the colours of Carlisle United, Gateshead, Hartlepool United and Ashington, George died in 2004.

1956 Dave McKellar born, Ardrossan, Scotland. (1986)

Goalkeeper loaned by Newcastle from Hibernian to provide cover for the injured Martin Thomas in February 1986.

Dave began his career as an apprentice with Ipswich Town under Bobby Robson in 1973 and had loan spells at both Colchester and Peterborough. 

However, the Scottish youth international suffered from homesickness and returned to his native Scotland in 1976, turning out for Adrossan Winton Rovers.

Tempted back to England with Derby County in 1978, McKellar later played for Brentford, and Hong Kong side Happy Valley.

Joining Carlisle United in 1982, Dave was in goal two years later as Newcastle beaten them 5-1 at St.James' Park to end the Cumbrians' own promotion hopes.

Reunited with former Carlisle team mate Tommy Craig when he became Hibernian manager in 1985, McKellar however failed to dislodge first choice Alan Rough. 

Becoming a free agent in the summer of 1986 after Newcastle declined to offer him a deal, Dave joined Hamilton Academical.

He featured for the Accies in a momentous 1-0 win at Rangers in 1987, when future Magpie miscreant Albert Craig allegedly blew his nose on an Ibrox corner flag....

Returning to Brunton Park (initially on loan from Dunfermline) in 1988, McKellar later moved to Kilmarnock, finally ending up at Rangers, as cover for Andy Gorman. 

Later working in child protection in Scotland, Dave turned down the job of goalkeeping coach offered by Walter Smith during his time in charge at Everton. 

1959 Alan Brown born, Easington.
(1981-82)

A product of the mackem's junior system, striker Alan Brown scored twice against Newcastle during a League Cup tie in September 1979 - and then netted the winning spot kick in a penalty shootout. 

Falling out of favour at Roker Park during the 1981/82 season, United took him on loan in an attempt to boost their forward options, Alan Shoulder and Bobbby Shinton both struggling for fitness and Imre Varadi left to shoulder the goalscoring burden. 

Brown quickly gelled with the equally fleet -footed Varadi and the duo inspired fine home wins over Charlton and Luton in successive games during November 1981.

Netted his first Newcastle goal in a 4-1 rout of the Addicks, Brown then grabbed two against the Hatters before leaving the field through injury - United winning 3-2. 

Missing a midweek defeat at Orient, Brown then featured in draws against Grimsby Town and Blackburn Rovers without adding to his goal tally.

Expectations were high that a permanent deal would be concluded, but Brown then returned to the mackem amid United claims of a back problem that he denied. 

Meanwhile, questions were raised about our ability to meet his £100K asking price.

David Mills then appeared on loan from West Bromwich Albion in early 1982 and Brown ended up at Shrewsbury Town in a part- exchange deal with Ian Atkins. 

There certainly seemed very little wrong with him on his next appearance at SJP, scoring the winner for the Shrews in our opening game of the 1983/84 season.

In fairness, Newcastle's claim of an injury problem looked more authentic when Brown left Gay Meadow soon after and barely played for his next club Doncaster Rovers before retiring in 1986 - aged just 27.

Brown later worked as a prison officer at Durham, while son Chris also played for the mackems and Doncaster Rovers.

However, his off-field exploits - including shooting people with a ball-bearing gun and appearing in a sex tape were rather more memorable than his football.

1968 Paul Moran born, Enfield.
(1991)

Alleged striker who came through the ranks at Spurs and made his first debut for the Cockerels during the 1986/87 season.

Failing to become a regular starter at White Hart Lane, Moran went out on loan during the 1988/89 season to Portsmouth and had a spell at Leicester City a year later.

His Magpies career consisted of one erratic outing home against Wolves in February 1991 - after which his loan was terminated.

Completely missing his kick when an early chance fell to him, claims later emerged that he'd spent the previous evening sampling Tyneside nightlife with fellow Spurs player, Paul Gascoigne. 

After a brief loan spell at Third Division Southend United, Moran somehow ended up back in favour at Spurs and managed a handful of (scoreless) Premier League appearances in 1992/93 and 1993/94.

Handed a free transfer in the summer of 1994, Moran signed for Peterborough United but failed to score in 11 appearances and left London Road the following summer. 

He then played for non-league Enfield, Kingsbury Town, Hertford, Hendon, East Thurrock United, Borehamwood and Potters Bar Town - acting as player/coach at the latter until 2005. 

Moran then reportedly became a decorator in Enfield, worked for the Press Association and appeared for the Spurs Veterans XI.