The Squad 1986/87

Martin Thomas - [Age 26 - Apps 43 - Gls 0 ]

The established Number 1 now Thomas had probably his best season for The Magpies and he was rewarded with his only international cap when he played against Finland

Gary Kelly - [Age 20 - Apps 4 - Gls 0]

5' 10" Kelly had a tough debut against Wimbledon but performed excellently and managed to keep a clean sheet. Made a couple more appearances when Thomas wasn't fit and appeared for the Eire U21's

John Anderson - [Age 26 - Apps 35 - Gls 1]

Ando was in typically combative form throughout the campaign and as usual was asked to fill in a number of positions including both full-backs, centre-back and midfield.

John Bailey - [Age 29 - Apps 9 - Gls 0]

Played in the first nine games of the season before he was dropped and replaced by Wharton. Never returned.

Kenny Wharton - [Age 25 - Apps 40(1) - Gls 2]

Still officially on the transfer list at the start of the season it was rumored that Graeme Souness was interested in taking him to Rangers. Wharton started in midfield but reverted to his favoured left-back slot when he replaced Bailey.

Jeff Clarke - [Age 33 - Apps 7 - Gls 0]

Peter Jackson was brought in as his replacement and he left for Turkey at the end of the season.

Glenn Roeder - [Age 30 - Apps 42 - Gls 3]

Captain Glenn missed only five matches all season; unfortunately four of those games ended in defeat. Roeder forged an increasingly effective partnership with new signing Jacko

Kevin Scott - [Age 19 - Apps 4 - Gls 1]

The tall Easington born stopper made his debut in the home defeat against Sheff Wed in September and managed to score a goal. He got a couple more chances later on filling in for McCreery

Peter Jackson - [Age 25 - Apps 34 - Gls 1]

It cost McFaul a quarter of a million to make Bradford part with their captain Jackson. Strong and combative he formed an effective partnership with Roeder at the centre of the defence.

David McCreery - [Age 29 - Apps 35 - Gls 0]

Davey Mac played his heart out as usual but was ruled out of a number of games with a niggling groin injury.

Paul Gascoigne - [Age 19 - Apps 23/3 - Gls 5]

It proved to be a case of the difficult second season for Gazza. He suffered from both injury and loss of form and was singled out for criticism from the fans as United struggled early doors.

McFaul thought he was trying to do too much himself and not performing enough for the team. But when he returned after injury in March he was back to his best and sparked an upturn in form that allowed United to pull away from the relegation zone.

Neil McDonald - [Age 20 - Apps 44/1 - Gls 7]

Spent most of the season in his favoured right-back slot but also helped out at centre-back and midfield. Took over from Beardsley as the penalty taker and won his first England U21 cap when he came on as sub against Sweden..

Alan Davies - [Age 24 - Apps 6/1 - Gls 0]

Started the season as Number 7 but soon lost his place as McDonald and Stephenson were preferred and went to Carlisle on loan. Came on as sub in the last game of the season and it proved to be his last game as he moved to Swansea in August.

Andy Thomas - [Age 23 - Apps 27/4 - Gls7]

Joined United for £100,000 from Oxford in August and his strong running and ability to play just behind the strikers made him a very effective team member during the campaign. Boosted his reputation with two goals in the televised victory over West Ham.

Ian Bogie - [Age 18 - Apps 1 - Gls 0]

Little Walker born midfielder Bogie was picked for his debut when United played a goalless draw on the astroturf at Kenilworth Road.

Jeff Wrightson - [Age 18 - Apps 3(1) - Gls 0]

Local lad who was drafted in as United's injury problems mounted. On the losing side every time he played McFaul had sympathy with him, accepting that he was "not ready". Unfortunately for him he never got another chance and left for Preston on a free at the end of the season.

Tony Nesbit - [Age 18 - Apps 1(2) - Gls 0]

Little makem midfielder made his only appearances for the club during this campaign; coming on twice as sub before making his full debut at Hillsbrough. Given a free transfer at the end of the season he moved into non-league football

Albert Craig - [Age 24 - Apps 6(1) - Gls 0]

A £100,000 capture from Hamilton Albert was bought as a squad member. He made his debut in the 2-2 home draw with Luton and kept his place for the next three games, but he would rarely feature again.

Brian Tinnion - [Age 18 - Apps 3 - Gls 0]

The Tinn man made his debut on the left of midfield in the 3-0 defeat at Goodison Park and was also on the losing side in the other two games he played in.

Peter Beardsley - [Age 25 - Apps 36 - Gls 5]

Brilliant in the World Cup Beardsley struggled to maintain his consistency. Beardsley seemed to have to drop ever deeper to try and pep up the team but as the pressure mounted after Christmas his form dipped along with the rest of the team.

When Beardsley was injured at Anfield he was warmly applauded by both sets of supporters and as Liverpool were known suitors many United fans didn't like the fact that he acknowledged the scousers condolences

He tore his hamstring in the home victory over Man United and missed the rest of the season, it was to be his last game for the club until Keegan brought him back.

Paul Goddard - [Age 27 - Apps 29 - Gls 13]

Goddard was the saviour of United's season; it was as simple as that. His ability to shield the ball and bring others into play coupled with a seven game scoring surge which equalled Len White's post war record was crucial to the club's survival.

Billy Whitehurst - [Age 27 - Apps 9/1 - Gls 0]

Big Billy continued where he had left off in the previous season by failing to bag a single goal. When substituted in the League Cup match against Bradford he responded to the taunts of the fans with a Harvey Smith (younger readers ask your dad, very young readers don't). The gesture which saw him immediately transfer listed and he was soon on his way to Oxford for £175,000

Tony Cunningham - [Age 28 - Apps 15/3 - Gls 2]

Some more fleeting appearances for the likeable but limited TC. The goals still failed to flow and he was sold to Blackpool before the start of the 1987/88 season.

Ian Stewart - [Age 25 - Apps 11/7 - Gls 1]

Northern Ireland international whose inconsistency continued to blight his time on Tyneside and he was rarely used with a whole host of players being tried out in the Number 11 shirt.

Paul Stephenson - [Age 18 - Apps 26 - Gls 0]

Troubled on and off by injury, Stephenson winged his way down both flanks during the season and played in roughly half the games.

Darren Jackson - [Age 20 - Apps 18/7 - Gls 3]

Jackson cost a tidy £240,000 when he was signed from Meadowbank Thistle in October. Fast and hard working he was used in midfield and upfront; often coming on from the bench.

Joe Allon - [Age 19 - Apps 5 - Gls 1]

With goals at a premium this could have been the breakthrough season for Allon, but once again Joe spent most of the season on the outside looking in and the signing of Paul Goddard virtually ensuring his departure.

He made his last appearance for the club in the 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in March