Alan Suddick 1961 - 1966
| Born | Chester-Le-Street | Co Durham | 02/05/1944 |
| Arrived | Chester Old Boys | 10/1961 | Free |
| Debut | Charlton H | D2 | 07/10/1961 |
| Departed | Blackpool | 12/1966 | £63,000 |
| Apps/Goals | 152 | 43 | |
| Ht/Wt | 5' 11" |
The Durham Daddler
Newcastle's history is littered with gifted but enigmatic players who have excited with their skill but frustrated with their inconsistency. Exceptional but unpredictable, Chester-le-Street born Suddick is a prime example.
Alan was born in Chester-le-Street and although his dad and all his friends were staunch Sunderland supporters Suddick junior always fancied playing for the black and whites.
Suddick played in the same Chester Old Scholars boys team as Colin Clish and Norman "bites yer legs" Hunter. His dad recommended him to United and Sunderland but it was The Magpies scout Temple Lisle who made the first move.
Silky ball-skills, pin-point passing, perfect crossing and a raking shot which brought him a fair share of goals set him apart from most of the rest of the team who had more function than flair.
Bobby Moncur was a great fan and in his autobiography "United we Stand" he stated that he had "as much natural ability as George Best" and that he could have been "not only a full international but one of the greats. He had so much ability and liked to display it like a new toy"
But as with so many of his ilk he could not produce with the required level of consistency often tending to flit in and out of games and wander away from the core of the action.
In many ways he was a victim of one of his other great strengths; his versatility. He preferred to play inside right, but not only was he usually asked to play on the flanks he found himself changing position on a regular basis.
The wearing of number 11, 10, 8 and 7 in consecutive matches towards the end of 1964/65 was an extreme example but in every season he find himself shunted around. How could he be expected to reproduce his best form on a regular basis under these conditions?
Despite his perceived failings, his impudent skills and lethal shooting made him a terrace favourite and when he was sold in December 1966 at the age of only 22 there was an outcry amongst the supporters.
He was well known for his sense of humour off the pitch and in the game against Bury in 1964/65 he showed that he was not afraid to reveal his humorous side in public.
If Newcastle had not been struggling to survive in the First Division and badly short of funds Suddick may have become a superstar on Tyneside; but his skills were sacrificed on the alter of expediency as Harvey needed to fund new signings.
Blackpool (bottom of Division 1 and to be relegated) signed him - for a record £63,000 fee - and he stayed at Bloomfield Road for a decade where he became known simply as "The King". Even now he is rated by Tangerine supporters as one of their greatest ever players.
Season by Season
1961/62 [18 - 3]
After signing as a junior Suddick was promoted to the reserves . He did so well that after only two games for the "stiffs" he was called up for the first team
Making his debut at the age of only seventeen in the 4-1 home victory over Charlton he became an instant hero as he is the star in a three game run that brings three wins and sixteen goals. All his appearances are in the Number 7 shirt and critics are even suggesting he could be the new Bobby Mitchell.
In the same year Alan is the star in the United team which wins the FA Youth Cup and also wins a Youth cap for his country..
1962/63 [32 - 11]
Alan plays in three quarters of the games and shows his versatility in playing in all the forward positions except Number 9. He is rewarded with two England U23 caps in the games against Belgium and Yugoslavia (scoring once).
1963/64 [34 - 7]
A repeat performance as the lad finds himself filling in right across the front line.
1964/65 [22 - 6]
Misses the first couple of months of the season but still plays a major part in United's promotion success. Most games he is played on the left flank. Culprit behind the famous Bury de-bagging.
1965/66 [31 - 15]
A season of contrasts as he starts on the left flank but suffers a loss of form as the team struggles to cope in the top flight and loses his place in the side. There's talk of a possible move to Middlesbrough but Harvey claims he wants him to stay.
Unhappy about not being allowed to play in his preferred inside role he asks Harvey if he will play him in this position in the reserves.
Harvey agrees and after a fine goalscoring run in the reserves he gets back in the first team at inside-right. Although he is later moved back to the flank he is in inspirational form and scores 12 goals in the last 19 matches as United climb away from trouble.
A personal highlight for Suddick - who ended up as the club's top scorer - was a brace in the 2-0 derby win over Sunderland at St James'
1966/67 [19 - 1]
It's another season of struggle for United and at the end of November they are 21st in the League. Joe Harvey decides drastic action is required and decides to cash in on Suddick to finance moves for John McNamee, Dave Elliot and Tommy Robson. Suddick's last game was in December when United crashed 3-0 at home to Aston Villa