NUFC - 1970's Keepers

Famously signed by United after conceding seven goals against us in a friendly match against his current team Linfield. He was 23 when he signed and stayed at the club until he retired at the surprisingly young age of 31.

Only 5' 10, but his agility and reflexes more than made up for his lack of inches. Although prone to the odd mistake he could be relied on to perform at his best when it really mattered. He was understudy to the great Pat Jennings for Northern Ireland

He was first choice for the first five seasons of the decade.

Durham born stopper who was picked up from Willington as a teenager. Had a tough debut when - at the age of 18 - he was between the sticks at Elland Road in a 3-0 defeat

He had an eight game run in the side at the end of 1972-73 season and actually kept McFaul out of the side for a couple of games when he was unfortunate to break a finger.

He was a "well built" keeper who commanded his area well but his weight turned out to be his undoing.

He fought a long running battle of the bulge and when he returned for the 1974/75 season three stone heavier the normal he was in hot water with Harvey. Threatened to quit football for the RAF when his transfer request was turned down, but eventually lowered his sights and moved to Darlington.

With Burleigh having left for Darlington 19 year old Tony Bell suddenly found himself propelled into the first team for the match at White Hart Lane on 7th December 1974.

It all went pear shaped as Tony conceded an unfortunate own goal before conceding two other first half goals

He never got another professional game and moved to North Shields at the end of the season.

Twenty four year old Bristolian Mahoney had made over 200 first team appearances for Torquay before Joe Harvey snapped him up towards the end of the 1974/75 season.

He made his debut before the season's end and took over as Number 1 when McFaul retired. Established himself as one of the best 'keepers in the country over the next two seasons and was voted United's player of the Year in 1976/77.

The signings of Roger Jones and Steve Hardwick appeared to undermine his confidence and his form slumped in the disastrous 1977/78 relegation season.

He wasn't rated by new manager Bill McGarry and he joined the short-lived exodus of players to the United States.

Eddie the Edgar was one of the many 'keepers who down the years have only been given a single chance between the sticks.

Edgar's chance came in the FA Cup 6th Round against Derby when a flu ridden United were beaten 4-2 in 1975/76. He was only nineteen at the time

Son David's United debut this season has meant that the family has joined an exclusive club of sons and fathers who have turned out for the same club.

Gordon Lee went back to his previous club Blackburn to sign former England Under 23 player Jones. Now 29 he had been a firm favourite at Ewood Park where he made almost 300 appearances.

His stay on Tyneside was short and controversial. He made all his 5 of his League appearances at the end of the 1975/76 season and demonstrated in those games that he was a highly competent 'keeper.

He was dogged by injuries in the following season and after seeking medical advice United claimed that he wasn't fit to play professional football. The deal with Blackburn had been linked to the number of games he played and the Lancastrians were furious with United's stance which left them well out of pocket.

Jones eventually moved to Stoke and played for another eight seasons.

First there was Banks, then Shilton and then there was Hardwick. The Chesterfield goalkeeping factory was famous and United hoped that the former England Youth international Hardwick could follow in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors

He was only twenty when he joined and it took him a couple of years to establish himself as first choice. Then, after initially impressing his form gradually dipped and he became a target of the Gallowgate boo boys.

Tall and agile, Carr was an excellent shot-stopper; but unfortunately occasionally he lacked judgement and too readily went to ground (he later became a policeman).

Morpeth born, Carr made his debut in 1977/78 just after he had turned 19 when he deputised for the injured Hardwick. He kept three clean sheets in the seven matches he played which was quite an achievement in a disastrous season.

It wouldn't be until the arrival of Arthur Cox in the eighties when he took over as first choice.