1905 Robert Thomson born, Falkirk, Scotland. (1928-34)

Defender who learnt his trade for various teams in his hometown before joining the mackems at a cost of £5,000 in 1927.

After barely 18 months at Roker Park though, Bob made the switch to United - fellow Scot Bob McKay going the other way.

Making his debut in a 3-2 home win over Leeds in October 1928, Thomson competed for the left back spot with Dave Fairhurst, playing his final first team game in a 2-0 derby defeat at Roker Park in March 1934.

Later spells at Hull City and French side Racing Club Paris followed, before Bob joined Ipswich Town in 1936.

A broken leg forced him into retirement the following year, but he remained at Portman Road until 1950 on their coaching staff.

1963 John Grattan Hendrie born, Lennoxtown, Scotland. (1988-89)

Winger/forward signed from Bradford City at a cost of 500K in the summer of 1988, as Magpies boss Willie McFaul attempted to fashion a new-look side.

Beginning his career as an apprentice with Coventy City, John moved out on loan to Hereford United in 1983 after falling out with new Highfield Road boss Bobby Gould.

A free transfer in 1984 saw him move to the Bantams and his form attracted a number of scouts to Valley Parade including United's.

Making his debut in the season-opening 0-4 loss at Everton, John's next Merseyside visit was rather more enjoyable - scoring in a 2-1 victory at Anfield the following October.

That win wasn't enough to save McFaul's job though and Hendrie's next goals came when he netted both in a 2-1 home win over Wimbledon in December - giving new boss Jim Smith a winning start to life at SJP.

A return to Coventry in February 1989 saw John net against his old club in a 2-1 success, but relegation still followed and he was shipped out to Leeds for 600K.

The fixture list then paired the two clubs in the opening game of the following season, but John's return to SJP was overshadowed by a four goal salvo from new Magpies signing Mick Quinn, in a 5-2 victory (signed from Pompey with the Hendrie money).

For a third successive summer, 1990 saw John on the move again, as he joined the smoggies - remaining there for six years and appearing against United various times.

His final club was Barnsley and at the age of 34, he returned to haunt his former side one more time, slamming home a fine effort to earn the Tykes a 2-2 draw at Oakwell with Newcastle in December 1997.

Barnsley were relegated that season and Hendrie took over from Danny Wilson as their manager, but last less than a year before being relieved of his duties.

Since then Hendrie has worked as a football pundit and summariser for both radio and TV, joining Yorkshire law firm Last Cawthra Feather as a sports law consultant in 2007.

Based in their Bradford office, John worked alongside another ex-Magpie - Jim Pearson.

1988 Robert Cavener born, North Shields.
(2004-07)

Central midfielder who captained United's U18 side during their run to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in the 2006/07 season.

A reserve team debut came as substitute in a 2-0 home victory over Wolves at Kingston Park in April 2005 and he was to appear at various points in the following two seasons.

Failing to win a professional contract in 2007, Rob secured a four year college  scholarship at Central Connecticut State University in the USA, where he played for their Blue Devils soccer side.

Returning to the North-East, he studied for his Masters Degree at Northumbria University while playing for Team Northumbria.

Cavener subsequently relocated to the USA and worked in finance, living in Hartford, Connecticut.

1986 John Ruddy born, St. Ives.
(2024-present)

Following the unexpected acquisition of Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in July 2024, eyebrows were further raised when Newcastle signed free agent custodian Ruddy hours later.

The 37 year-old had left Birmingham City after two years at St.Andrew's, having racked up 550 appearances over a 20 year career - almost half with Norwich City.

Winning one senior England cap against Italy in 2012, Ruddy came to Gallowgate as Loris Karius exited - but by the end of the transfer window the club's squad included no less than five 'keepers (messrs Pope, Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Ruddy and Gillespie).

Ostensibly signed on a 12 month contract for training and mentor duties, John's first outing as a Magpie came late on in a 4-0 home friendly win over Girona that August.

He was then named on the bench as cover for Nick Pope in United's second Premier League game that season, at Bournemouth.

Retained for a further year and getting pre-season pitch time against Carlisle and Arsenal, the departure of Martin Dubravka and arrival of Aaron Ramsdale left Ruddy's status unchanged, part of the warm-up ahead of competitive senior games but without taking a place on the bench.

1989 Jack Colback born, Killingworth.
(2014-20)

June 2014 saw Newcastle complete the free transfer signing of midfielder Colback, after he became a free agent following the expiry of his contract with the mackems. 

A product of Cramlington Juniors, Jack first linked up with the red and whites aged 10 and played over 100 times for the mackems  following a debut in May 2010 that saw him dismissed after just 12 minutes on the field.

That followed a loan switch to Ipswich Town for the England U20 international that saw him score five times and play at SJP as United lifted the Championship trophy.

A second loan spell at Portman Road in the 2010/11 season followed before Jack was integrated into the mackem senior side.

Scoring at Gallowgate in a 0-3 derby loss in February 2014, within four months Colback became the first senior player to move from wear to Tyne since Paul Bracewell in 1992, Lionel Perez switching in 1998 but never playing competitively for the Magpies.

First sighted in a Newcastle shirt at Oldham in pre-season, Jack's debut came in the season-opening home loss to Manchester City, along with fellow new boys Daryl Janmaat, Remy Cabella, Emmanuel Riviere, Rolando Aarons and Ayoze Perez.

After just three competitive games for his new club, Jack was called up to the England senior squad for the first time - only to then withdraw with a calf problem.

Despite picking up 12 bookings and the subsequent suspensions, his first season was a good one, including four memorable strikes - all at St. James' Park.

The following season saw his form slump though, coinciding with relegation to the Championship and featuring 11 yellow cards.

Remaining a regular performer in the second tier, Newcastle's promotion saw Jack begin pre-season in the side but soon fade from the picture.

Amid claims of a training ground argument with Rafa Benitez, the midfielder was made available for transfer and linked with both Wolves and Aston Villa.

No move followed however and Colback was omitted from Newcastle's 25 man squad, excluded from the team photo and made to train with the reserves.

The January 2018 transfer window saw Jack loaned to Nottingham Forest, debuting in the Championship against a Fulham side featuring fellow loanee Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Colback stayed on loan at the City Ground in 2018/19 and seemed to have effectively ended his time at SJP, only for the arrival of Steve Bruce to seem him recalled to feature in a handful pre-season games.

However he failed to win a place in United's PL squad and remained at the club despite claims of another loan exit.

Eventually leaving on a free in August 2020 he rejoined Forest, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2022.

Jack was in the Forest side for their first PL game this century at SJP in August 2022, but looked way off the pace in a 0-2 loss and was released the following summer.

A Championship return came in August 2023, signing a two year deal at QPR.

The 2025/26 season began with Colback clubless - although yet to confirm his retirement - and studying for his UEFA B coaching licence.

1992 Patrick Nzuzi born, Lubumbashi, DR Congo. (2005-12)

Right-sided defender/midfielder who joined United's academy from Wallsend Boys Club at the age of 13 - having moved to the region from his home country in 2003. 

Debuting for Newcastle's U18 side in April 2009, Nzuzi netted on his debut in a 2-2 home draw with Sheffield United. 

He was then handed a first reserve outing by coach Alan Thompson in a 2-4 loss to Rotherham United in October 2009.

Featuring for both the Academy and Reserve sides in the opening weeks of the following season, Patrick celebrated his 18th birthday recovering from surgery to cure a hernia problem that had troubled him for a year.

Released in Summer 2012, Nzuzi had trials at Derby County, Celtic Nation and Blyth Spartans before joining Irish side Limerick.

Following a brief (one game) switch to Sligo Rovers, Patrick then returned to England when signing for Folkestone Invicta.

By 2016 he'd moved on to Canterbury City and was studying at the University of Kent, joining Herne Bay three years later.

1992 Ryan McGorrigan born, Newcastle.
(2009-12)

Another graduate of Wallsend Boys Club, this right-sided midfielder/striker debuted for Newcastle's U18s during a 2-3 defeat by Everton in March 2009. 

Making a reserve team debut in a 2-4 loss to Rotherham United the following October, Ryan began the 2010/11 season with the U18s but behind Phil Airey and Sammy Ameobi in the fight for reserve places.

Released by United in summer 2012, Ryan  had a trial at Mansfield Town before a deal with Gateshead was agreed. 

Later with Blyth Spartans and Gateshead (again), a grand tour of local non-league sides included Whitley Bay, Ashington, Durham, Bedlington Terriers, North Shields, Ashington (again), Seaton Delaval, Blyth Town, West Allotment Celtic, Willington Quay Saints, Ashington, Newcastle Benfield and Willington Quay Saints.

1994 Death of George Hair, 69.
(1943-49)
Ryton-born George scored against the mackems at Roker Park in the first competitive post-war derby - a 1-1 draw.