NUFC - 1970's Centre Backs
| Burton | Alwyn | CB | Jun 1963 | £37,500 | cs 1973 | Retired | 429/6 | 13 |
A versatile player who turned out in various positions in defence and attack he never really fully established himself mainly as a result of frequent bouts of injury.
A knee injury finally put a premature end to his career and he was awarded a well attended testimonial in November 1973.
| Moncur | Bobby | CB | Apr 1962 | Jun 1974 | £30,000 | 358/3 | 10 |
Moncur had a slow burner of a career at United as he struggled for five years to establish himself in the side. But as the sixties came to a close
he would captain United to their 1969 Fairs Cup triumph
He continued to lead United into the seventies and his form was so impressive he captained Scotland too. A born leader who played with an assurance that led manager Harvey to claim one that United were "half a team" without him.
Moved to Sunderland after United's FA Cup disaster against Liverpool.
| McNamee | John | CB | Dec 1966 | £26,000 | Nov 1971 | £15,000 | 129/3 | 8 |
United have had some tough, uncomprimising centre-halves over the years and Big John McNamee could mix it with the best of them.
One of Harvey's famous triple signing during the 1966/67 season that helped maintain the club's top flight status; six footer John vyed with Burton for a position alongside Moncur.
Moved on at the start of the 1971/72 season at the age of 30.
| Howard | Pat | CB | Sep 1971 | £23,000 | Sep 1976 | £50,000 | 261/2 | 9 |
Pat Howard was signed from Fourth Division Barnsley just before his 24th birthday with United facing an injury crisis due to the absence of Burton and Moncur.
He did so well that he became a regular member of the side for the next five seasons.
A stopper in the rugged style he was never less than 100% committed. However as one of Supermac's big pals it was no surprise to see Gordon Lee send him to join the bandy legged one at Highbury.
| Laughton | Dennis | CB | Dec 1973 | £20,000 | Jun 1975 | RI | 8/2 | 0 |
An own goal whilst playing for Morton in the Texaco Cup against United was enough to convince Joe Harvey he could make the grade on Tyneside.
He cost £20,000 and played half a dozen games as United stuttered towards the Cup Final. He was rarely seen after that and an injury ended his career at the end of the 1974/75 season.
| Craig | Derek | CB | Aug 1969 | Sep 1975 | Free | 2 | 0 |
Ryton born Craig joined United as an apprentice in May 1969 and stayed at the club for seven seasons during which he played a grand total of 2 senior games and one of those was in the Texaco Cup.
His only "major" outing was in the League Cup match at Highbury in 1971/72 when an injury hit United side was crushed 4-0
| Keeley | Glenn | CB | Jun 1974 | £70,000 | Aug 1976 | £30,000 | 72/1 | 4 |
Harvey took a major gamble on 19 year old former England Youth international Keeley as he had only made 5 senior appearances for Ipswich
He replaced departed skipper Moncur for the 1974/75 season but it is fair to say that his form was somewhat erratic and he was guilty of a number of errors.
When Lee took over the Essex boy found himself frozen out with Gordon preferring John Bird or David Craig. He was sold to Blackburn in August 1976.
| Bird | John | CB | Sep 1975 | c-ex | May 1980 | Free | 95/4 | 6 |
Mr Bird's main claim to fame was ending the managerial career of Sir Bobby Charlton.
Bobby had been so upset that tthe Preston board allowed him to leave that he resigned.
At 27 and six foot he looked a shrewd capture by Gordon Lee but it is fair to say that the Geordie faithful struggled to see why Charlton had been so agitated with his departure.
A combination of inconsistent displays and regular injuries meant that he never really settled on Tyneside and in May 1980 he migrated to Hartlepool on a free.
| McCafferey | Aiden | CB | Jan 1975 | Aug 1978 | £60,000 | 68/3 | 5 |
McCaffery was only seventeen when injuries to Howard and Keeley meant he was drafted in to face Ipswich at Portman Road. It was quite a traumatic debut for a young defender as United
lost 5-4.
He played a couple of times in the following campaign and then won a regular place in the side during the 1976/77 season with Howard moving on and Lee preferring him to Bird. The 77/78 collapse saw McCafferey lose his place and he was sold to Derby before the next season.
| Blackley | John | CB | Oct 1977 | £100,000 | Jul 1979 | Free | 52 | 0 |
Richard Dinnis had struggled long and hard to make a breakthrough in the transfer market, but when he did he bought true class in John Blackley; unfortunately for Dickie and
the club it was too little too late.
Scottish international Blackley was 29 when he arrived. He was an excellent reader of the game, skilful and calmness personified. The supporters liked the look of him and he was voted Player of the Year despite only arriving in October.
He left for Preston after two years excellent service.
| Smith | Tony | CB | Jul 1975 | Mar 1979 | Free | 1/2 -0 | 6 |
One of a number of youngsters thrown into the fray during the relegation season of 1977/78, former England U19 captain Smith made his debut as a sub in November at the age of twenty.
A makem by birth he appeared a couple more times that season and was then never seen again before settling in the lower leagues.
| Barton | David | CB | Jul 1975 | Jul 1983 | Free | 108/2 | 6 |
Tall and lanky, the predictably nicknamed "Dick" made his debut in the fated 1977/78 season in the surprise 2-0 victory at Leeds.
He played quite regularly during the last two campaigns of the decade but a "Howeyesque" injury record and increasing competition led to him losing his place in the side. After a couple of loan spells Barton left for Darlington just before the KK bandwagon arrived.
| Carney | Steve | CB | Oct 1979 | £1,000 | Jul 1985 | Free | 140/9 | 1 |
Wallsend born, Carnage followed fellow Blyth Spartan Alan Shoulder from Northern League to St James'. Although lacking in the finer parts of the game he was solid and quick.
Originally used as a right-back he established himself as a relatively permanent fixture in the side during Arthur Cox's reign. Started under Charlton but lost his place as United conceded ten goals in three games. Loaned out to Carlisle and then off loaded to Darlington on a free.
| Boam | Stuart | RB | Aug 1979 | Jul 1981 | £140,000 | 77 | 2 |
Commanding, rugged and tall, Boam had been a central part of Middlesbrough's miserly defence for many a year before he made the surprise move to Tyneside at the age of 31.
It took £140,000 to prise him away and he helped bring a bit of stability and leadership to the United defence during his two season stay.