1997-98 Season - April
The month gets off to a great start as Newcastle reach the FA Cup Final for the first time since 1974 after a thrilling semi-final victory over Sheffield United.
And despite continued poor League form United's Premiership safety is virtually certain.
The other major talking point was Shearer's playing style which upset numerous opponents as he seemed determined to eradicate his "Mary Poppins" image.
Sunday 05 Apr 1998 - FAC SF - Newcastle 1 Sheffield United 0
Stand-in skipper Shearer is the FA Cup talisman again as he scores the only goal from all of an inch or two to secure a Wembley visit for United.
John Hall upsets some fans by dedicating the victory to Shepherd and his son.
Monday 06 Apr 1998
GNER outrage Magpies supporters by announcing that the normal Newcastle to London Saturday half-price tickets will not be made available on Cup Final day.
Tuesday 07 Apr 1998
The FA and MP Tony Banks speak out on the supporters behalf and GNER offer 500 half-price tickets; they sell out within an hour.
Wednesday 08 Apr 1998
Former player Tommy Craig joins Dalglish's coaching staff as a replacement for Tommy Burns
Saturday 11 Apr 1998 - Prem - Arsenal 3 Newcastle 1
Dalglish upsets the media at the post match press conference answering questions with glibness, petulance and even a few insults about one reporter's waistline. It did not hide the fact that the comprehensive defeat left United in 16th and only 2 points off the relegation places.
Monday 13 Apr 1998 - Prem - Newcastle 2 Barnsley 1
A Shearer goal five minutes from time gives United a first League win for over 2 months in a tough tense encounter; Andersson's first goal for the club having previously been equalised.
Al's marker De Zeeuw accused Shearer of being a "cheat" for pushing him before he scored. "He seems to be untouchable..... he gets away with murder"
The club announce that S&N brewery boss Alastair Wilson is to join the Board. He vows to try and rebuild the club's relationship with the fans.
Tuesday 14 Apr 1998
The FA announce that they will investigate claims that Cup Final tickets are being sold on internet sites at over £500.
Saturday 18 Apr 1998 - Prem - Man Utd 1 Newcastle 1
A much improved performance from The Magpies gain a valuable point against the Championship chasers. It could well have been three when Rob Lee broke through at the death; Solskjaer earning himself a red card after he tripped the United captain up as he homed in on goal.
Tuesday 21 Apr 1998
A rare positive gesture from Wear to Tyne as Sunderland Chairman Bob Murray offers Sunderland's allocation of Cup Final tickets to the club for onward transmission to the "most loyal supporters"
Saturday 25 Apr 1998 - Prem - Tottenham 2 Newcastle 0
Goals from Klinsmann and Sir Les condemned United to a defeat which kept them in the relegation scrap. Ginola accused Shearer of trying to kick him throughout the game .
Wednesday 29 Apr 1998 - Prem - Leicester 0 Newcastle 0
Shearer was once again the target as Leicester manager Martin O'Neill raged about a dodgy challenge on Neil Lennon.
"I don't care whether it is Alan Shearer or the Pope - you don't do things like that".
"Alan Shearer should have been sent off. What he did is not in the game. I saw Neil Lennon kicked in the face - deliberately.
"I haven't got a clue why Alan did it, but he should have been sent off the field. It's as simple as that.
The match was a non event but the single point was enough to - bar some ridiculous results - enough to ensure Premiership safety.