One of the most popular sides of the Premier League era, Kevin Keegan’s band of ‘entertainers’ spent much of the mid 90’s terrorising opposition defenders up and down the land with their own brand of gung-ho football. One of the greatest ‘nearly sides’ in recent times, the Magpies’ memorable league campaign of 95/96 would eventually be undone by a ruthless Manchester United.
As the likes of Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla were busy carving their way into Newcastle folklore for their devestating attackin talent, it’s perhaps telling that a centre-back, very much tasked with somehow keeping the back line tight as his fellow players marauded forward, could become such a legend on tyneside….step forward Steve Howey.
Rising up Newcastle’s youth academy alongside close compadres and terrace favourites such as Steve Watson, Robbie Elliott and Lee Clark, Howey would funnily enough beginning his fledgling career as a forward. Being placed as a steady eddy centre-half under the wing of Keegan and his sides 92/93 march to premier League promotion.
A distant dream compared to the clubs recent woes, the player would come achingly close to helping his side to a first top flight trophy, coming runners up in the league during the 1995/96 and 1996/97 season, in addition to FA Cup runner-up in 1997/98 and 1998/99, more of which you can here about during the AskFans exclusive interview.
A talented ball player able to rough it with the leagues bulldozers, Howey’s Newcastle career would become blighted with a series of injuries.
No doubt the highlight of the mans career being the 1058th person to wear and England shirt, the 4 caps he earned since hardly a appropriate reflection of his talent – saying that he’ll no doubt be happy to reflect on the fact that his only conceded one goal during that time.
The player would spend 11 years with his boyhood club before seeking pastures new with Manchester City, the most redeeming moment of his time at Main Road being scoring a late equaliser against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, in a game more remembered for the ugly clash between Roy Keane and Alf-Inge Håland.