Keeping the Faith (1980s)

The 1980's was not a particularly notable time for 'keepers on Tyneside. As a result none of the goalies managed to establish themselves in the side for any length of time.

As a rule they were all agile shot stoppers, but none of them achieved the required level of consistency and many of them suffered more than their share of injuries.

As this was the time before substitute goalkeepers "guest" 'keepers included Chris Waddle (who played for 40 minutes at Elland Road without conceding a goal in the first match of the promotion season).

Most famously; an injured Martin Thomas, Chris Hedworth and Peter Beardsley all had a turn as United were beaten 8-1 at Upton Park in 1985/86.

Possession of the jersey went with the manager. Kevin Carr was Arthur Cox's favourite, but exasperated Charlton who replaced him with Martin Thomas. Iam Mcfaul stuck with Thomas until his injury problems let in Gary Kelly. Mcfaul then replaced them both with Dave Beasant.

Jim Smith's arrival saw Beasant replaced by Tommy Wright before he brought John Burridge in.

Kevin Carr [6'2"] 1975-1985 [195]

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

Went for the "Magnum" look which was popular with the ladies at the time. However this "backfired" (almost literally) when it gained him unwanted attention from some fans of an altogether different persuausion on United's Far East tour in 1983.

Made his debut in 1977/78 but had to await the arrival of Arthur Cox before he came the established first choice. Injury prone but was voted PoY in 1980/81 and helped take United up three years later. Big Jack was less impressed and soon dropped him "for his own good" before transferring him to a new patch.

Martin Thomas [6'1"] 1975-1985 [130]

Kevin Carr lookalike and tracksuit fetishest Martin Thomas was "good" enough to be capped by Wales but "bad" enough to be deputy to Dai Davies. Similar in style to Carr he also suffered from injuries, hampering his chances to establish himself.

Arrived from Bristol Rovers in 1983 and deputised for Carr in half the matches in the promotion season. Took over when Carr was dropped by Charlton and was Mcfaul's preferred choice during 1985/86 and 1986/87.

Played his last game in September 1987 but remained an employee of the club for another 6 years (although he was often farmed out on loan). When Keegan and Mcdermott arrived there just wasn't room for more than one comedy 'tache and he was moved on to Birmingham.

Gary Kelly [5'10"] 1985-1989 [60]

Despite being vertically challenged Gary Kelly's agility made him a decent little keeper. He tried to compensate for his lack of inches with an archetypal BIG eighties haircut, but no-one was fooled.

Son of Preston and Eire legend Alan, Kelly pro in 1985, but had to wait until the 1986/87 season for his debut.

1987/88 was the only season in which he was regarded as first choice but the arrival of first Tommy Wright and then Dave Beasant pushed him down the pecking order.

After a couple of loan spells at Bury and Blackpool he went to Bury on a permanent contract in November 1989.

Tommy Wright [6'1"] 1988-1993 [82/1]

It is often said that when Belfast Barman Tommy Wright was in full cry his callings could be heard by North Sea fishermen ten miles out to sea.

But Tommy was not just well endowed vocally he was also an excellent cross-country runner who had represented his country.

He arrived from Linfield in March 1988 and after some decent erformances for the reserves United splashed out £30,000 for him.

He was given his debut when Beasant went to London but never fully established himself as the number one facing competition from Kelly initially and then John Burridge as well.

During 1989/90 he had a particularly troubled time with a bug, a post-viral infection and a damaged cartilage ruling him out for sixteen weeks.

David Beasant [6'4"] 1988-1989 [24]

Beasant was seen as one of the main factors in the rise of The Crazy Gang at Plough Lane and his penalty save in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool propelled him into the national consciousness.

Therefore when McFaul splashed out £850,000 (a record fee for United and for a custodian at that time) of his Gazza money on the giant stopper fans and media alike were convinced that it was a quality signing.

Along with Shakalakalakaboom and Mavis Reilly he is one of the tallest players to play for the club; fans were optimistic that at last the club had found a 'keeper who could really dominate his area. Unfortunately

Within seconds of his debut at Goodison Park he had conceded a goal and three others were to follow including one which appeared to trickle past his foot while he watched rooted to the ground like some sort of big tree thing.

As United struggled many sympathised with Beasant's plight, but in reality his leaden-footed, erratic and clumsy 'keeping was contributing to the chaotic defending.

Almost immediately there were rumours about him leaving and it was no surprise when Jim Smith moved him onto Chelsea (at a loss of £125,000) in January 1989 where he was soon reeking more havoc.

John Burridge [5'11"] 1989-1991 [80]

It is an oft quoted truism that goalkeepers are a couple of studs short of a football boot; in John Burridge's case the whole lot are missing. "Budgie" (a nickname he disliked because it implied he was a nutcase) was famous for the number of clubs he played for, his fitness and contortionist warm-ups and for wearing his goalkeeping gloves in bed.

Self-styled hard-man Burridge would beg to disagree with accepted opinion; "silliness" he once observed, was "spending all night in the pub or losing a weeks wages on the horses - not taking a ball to bed like I do."

"For 33 years I was the hardest trainer in British football. People can take the micky out of me, call me a crackpot, but in eating rice and fruit and having self-hypnosis tapes on the bus I was ahead of my time. That sort of thing's everywhere now, but they call it sports psychology."

When Jim Smith bought him from Southampton Reserves in September 1989 he was already thirty seven, but the Bald Eagle plunged him into United's promotion challenge.

Jim Smith described him as "as honest a professional as they come"; however whilst he was player-manager at Blyth Spartans he was convicted and fined for dealing in counterfeit leisure wear.

The prosecution's case was aided significantly by video pictures of the Blyth players wearing some of the aforesaid merchandise before an FA Cup game against Blackpool.

Steve Hardwick [5'11"] 1976-1983 [101]

The ultra clean cut "Waltons" look and self satisfied smirk combined with a woodwork "O" Level identify Steve Hardwick as a Gordon Lee signing.

Thankfully he only played twelve games during the decade so if you want to know more about him you'll just have to wait until we cover the Seventies 'keepers.

David McKellar [6'0"] 1986-1986 [10]

Twenty-nine year old Mckellar was brought in on loan when first choice keeper Thomas was injured.

After early success as part of Ipswich's FA Youth Cup winning side the Scot had drifted around clubs both North and South of the border.

He arrived in February 1986 and did a reasonable job before he too succumbed to injury. He obviously failed to impress as he was not offered a permanent contract