The Squad 1985/86

The squad did not have much depth to it but luckily there were not too many injury problems and only 22 players were used all season.

McFaul made use of a number of the successful Youth Cup winning side of 1984-85 with Gazza in particular making a big splash.

Star of the season was Peter Beardsley who, restored to his central role, had a superb season and was rewarded with his first England cap and a lucrative new contract.

Keepers

Martin Thomas - [Age 25 - Apps 36 - Gls 0 ]

With Carr sold he had no competition for the No 1 shirt and performed consistently throughout the season before suffering a shoulder injury towards the end. Was prematurely recalled with disastrous consequences in the Upton Park massacre.

Dave McKeller - [Age - Apps 10 - Gls 0]

Much travelled/unwanted? 'keeper who was picked up on loan from Hibs in May 1986. Made his debut in the home victory over Ipswich and played in ten games before being released in May. Had the distinction of never keeping a clean sheet.

Defenders

John Anderson - [Age 25 - Apps 36 - Gls 0]

With Malcolm Brown returning from whence he came popular Irishman Anderson re-established himself at right-back and gave his usual wholehearted performances. Fractured his cheekbone during September but kept on playing. Moved to left-back for a period to cover for the injured Wharton.

His season was capped when he earned a recall to the Eire side now managed by a certain Jackie Charlton.

Kenny Wharton - [Age 24 - Apps 15 - Gls 2]

Started the season at left-back - reaching his 200th appearance in the process - but picked up a cartilage injury which ruled him out for a couple of months.

By the time he was fit Bailey had been signed and "Bones" ended up in midfield. Unhappy at losing his regular place in the side he handed in a transfer request.

John Bailey - [Age 25 - Apps 29 - Gls 0]

Signed from Everton in October burly Bailey certainly added some weight to the defence, making the left back spot his own.

Jeff Clarke - [Age 32 - Apps 45 - Gls 3]

Another solid season from the Pontefract Pillar who only missed one game in what would turn out to be his last full season on Tyneside

Glenn Roeder - [Age 29 - Apps 46 - Gls 6]

Another steady season from Glenda and he even managed to bag six goals; as he said he was deadly from six yards.

Peter Haddock - [Age 23 - Apps 8 - Gls 0]

Another frustrating season for Haddock as he again failed to win a regular first team plaice. He would join Leeds at the end of the season.

Chris Hedworth - [Age 21 - Apps 4 - Gls 0]

Got a couple of outings at right-back and infamously appeared as one of three United "goalkeepers" used in the 8-1 thrashing at Upton Park. Released at the end of the season.

Rob McKinnon - [Age 19 - Apps 1 - Gls 0]

Unfortunate to make his debut in the thrashing at Tottenham where he was replaced by Gazza. Never appeared again and was allowed to leave for Hartlepool at the end of the season

Midfielders

David McCreery - [Age 28 - Apps 42/2 - Gls 0]

His future was in doubt at the start of the season and he was left out of the side for the first few games. But McFaul soon realised that the more skilful players could not work their magic without the commitment and battling of the little Irishman.

Paul Gascoigne - [Age 18 - Apps 32/3 - Gls 9]

Handed his full debut in the first match at The Dell Gazza responded with some sparkling performances. McFaul replaced him by the more defensively minded Davies after the thrashing at Old Trafford but he was restored a few weeks later.

McFaul wanted to protect him by not playing him too often but found it difficult to leave the chubby chappy out. In the end he retained his place in the side from December onwards although he had two spells out with minor injuries. Blotted his copybook when he was sent-off in the home match verses Birmingham for striking an opponent.

Neil McDonald - [Age 19 - Apps 26/5 - Gls 4]

Playing on the right side of midfield' there were no spots on Neil as he made a storming start to the season which earned him a call-up to the England U21 squad.

Lost his place in the side during November before returning in the last few weeks in his favoured right-back slot.

Alan Davies - [Age 23 - Apps 16/1 - Gls 1]

Used on the right side of midfield and at right-back the Welsh international put in some industrious performances. He was unlucky to suffer the consequences of the Old Trafford defeat and he never regained his place

Gary Megson - [Age 26 - Apps 3/3 - Gls 0]

Started the first couple of games but was replaced by McCreery and rarely featured before being loaned out and then sold to Sheffield Wednesday.

Attackers

Peter Beardsley - [Age 24 - Apps 45 - Gls 19]

For Beardo it was personally an excellent season. He missed only one game all season and finished as the top scorer. When he was at his best the team was at his best and his inspirational form led to his first England cap and a place in the 1986 World Cup squad.

He also signed a new £200pw contract keeping him at the club until the end of the 1987/88 season.

George Reilly - [Age 28 - Apps 19 - Gls 7]

Very unpopular with club and media alike when an army of cameramen turned up for the team photo only for them to realise that Reilly had forgot to turn up. The shoot was cancelled.

Amazing what a blood soaked head and a couple of goals can do to your reputation. Looking likely to leave at the end of the season Mavis turned into Rambo and the fans were no longer gunning for him.

But the renaissance didn't last and he was sold to West Brom in December.

Billy Whitehurst - [Age - Apps 21 - Gls 7]

Oor Billy was supposedly wanted by a number of top clubs; McFaul described him as "a big strong lad with a big heart". He made his debut on December 7th and scored his first goal three months and eleven games later.

Tony Cunningham - [Age - Apps 10/9 - Gls 3]

Used sparingly by McFaul - often as a sub - but always giving 100%. He and Alan Davies were the only Charlton signings still on Tyneside at the and of the season.

Ian Stewart - [Age 24 - Apps 29/3 - Gls 2]

Mcfaul completed the transfer deal that Charlton had instigated. He described the experienced Northern Ireland winger as "quick and tricky"

He did not impress the Novocastrians as on too many occasions he drifted right out of the game and in a number of matches his contribution was negligible. He was substituted five times including three matches in succession; quite an achievement in the times of only one sub.

Paul Stephenson - [Age 17 - Apps 23 - Gls 1]

Right-winger Stephenson was another of United's Youth Cup winning side to earn a first-team place. Made his debut in the home victory over Southampton in December and stayed in the side for the rest of the season. Travelled to matches on the bus, but thankfully patrolled the right flank at a faster pace

Joe Allon - [Age - Apps 3 - Gls 1]

Frustrated by his failure to break into the first team Allon put in a transfer request which was turned down. Only made a couple of appearances but got his first senior goal in the home win over Coventry