A Trip Down Memory Lane For Newcastle Legends
By Matthew Jones
October 24 2003
Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson yesterday joined some of the club's biggest-ever names such as Charlie Crowe, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Moncur and Peter Beardsley at St James's Park to take an emotional trip down memory lane.
Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson yesterday joined some of the club's biggest-ever names at St James's Park to take an emotional trip down memory lane.
Robson, who supported The Magpies' as a child, sat alongside names such as Charlie Crowe, Malcolm MacDonald, Bob Moncur and Peter Beardsley as they previewed the club's official history DVD.
After watching some of the clubs greatest footballing moments, Robson was the manager left to end United's long search for silverware.
"I feel like shedding a few tears," said Robson, "I came here as a young boy with my father, I was indoctrinated with Newcastle. My father bled black-and-white so I understand what this means.
"I had a chance to join Newcastle as a player when I was 15. Don't ask me why but I didn't. When I signed for Fulham a couple of years after that, he thought I was mad.
"It pulls on my heartstrings. I remember going to see Charlie Crowe play when I was a kid so it's great to see him again. You can never forget these great times."
"Newcastle United: The Official History" is produced by Granada Video/VCI and features 110 years of memorable football - beginning with 1892 when the city's East End and West End clubs merged.
It wasn't just Sir Bobby who had things to say after the film - yesterday it brought back happy memories for many, including Malcolm Macdonald.
MacDonald scored 95 goals in 187 appearances in the early 1970s and said: "This club rules people's lives. I'm not a Geordie yet I became an adopted Geordie when I came here from Luton. It's great to see some of those happy times again. It is a club which gets into your blood and into your heart. It doesn't matter how you approach Newcastle you always see St James's Park - that's a symbolic thing.
"It was explained to me best by Jackie Milburn after I had done my Press conference following my move up here - he took me out house hunting in his car and, as we were driving around, he pointed out the pits.
"He told me that people were down there working. Saturday afternoons, he told me, were when they got out in the fresh air and sunshine and got to see Newcastle United play football. They wanted to be entertained - that stood me in good stead."