1997-98 Season - January

January 1998 was a turning point in the modern history of Newcastle United. Keegan's entertainers had become many peoples second favourite club, but almost overnight the club became Public Enemy Number 1. They may have had the Toon Army's safety at heart but their disastrous PR coupled with the antics of Stevenage's chairman Vitriolic Victor provided plenty of press fodder.

Sunday 04 Jan 1998 - FAC3 - Everton 0 Newcastle 1

Torrential rain and wind lashed Goodison Park but even making excuses for the elements this was a desperately poor game settled by a scrambled effort from Ian Rush on 67 minutes.

The Welshman replaced Asprilla - who suffered a reaction to his groin injury [it is an anti climatic end to the colourful Colombians career on Tyneside].

Monday 05 Jan 1998

The Magpies reward for beating the Toffeemen is an away tie against Vauxhall Conference side Stevenage Borough. The events leading up to the match were a public relations disaster for the club as they became involved in an unseemly row with their opponents played out in the full glare of the media. The actual events and blame are open to conjecture but there was no doubt whose side the majority of the country was on.

Stevenage manager Paul Fairclough intimates that he believes the match will be switched to St James' to enable the amateur side to maximise their income.

However SKY are willing to pay £150,000 to televise the match so chairman Victor Green investigates the possibility of installing temporary seating to almost double the 6,700 capacity of their Broadhall Way ground.

Tuesday 06 Jan 1998

Stevenage's temporary seating arrangements are deemed acceptable by safety officials but United are not happy and advise them that they want to inspect the ground themselves and that they will lodge a formal complaint with the FA.

Green goes straight onto Radio 5 and accuses United of "running scared" and using "bully boy" tactics. Kenny Dalglish responds by stating that the club's only concern is the safety of their fans.

Wednesday 07 Jan 1998 - CC5 - Newcastle 0 Liverpool 2

During the day representatives from Newcastle visit Stevenage to inspect the ground and then had a meeting with the local borough council to voice their concerns over safety issues.

With Asprilla now injured too Ian Rush leads the line against his former club and despite a spirited performance by the team there is no real pace or invention in the side. In extra-time Own (94) and Fowler (102) break away to end United's cup run.

Thursday 8 Jan 1997

Green goes to The Sun and claims that Dalglish telephoned him before the match against Liverpool claiming that he said "we're not frightened of you. We'll play you anywhere - even on Hackney Marshes."'

United release a statement claiming that the "a ground of this size" would be "totally unsuitable bearing in mind the immense interest in the tie and the anticipated level of support from Newcastle United fans for this match" and they confirm that they will go ahead with their appeal.

The row even makes it onto Newsnight where Dalglish defends the club's position but United are vilified in the press. Many Newcastle supporters are lacking support too as in a poll 70% are in favour of the tie going ahead in the Home Counties.

Friday 9 Jan 1997

At a hearing attended by both clubs the FA reject United's appeal. In a statement, the club states: "We had raised a number of issues with the FA and we are satisfied that they have been given due consideration".

But Dalglish is far from happy that Stevenage plan to hike process up by up to 400%

Saturday 10 Jan 1998 - Sheff Wed 2 Newcastle 1

At the end of a trying week a shocking performance at Hillsbrough sees United make it 8 Premier games without a victory and sends them down into 11th.

Di Canio gives the home side the lead after 51 seconds then after missing a sitter Tomasson equalises after 20 minutes. Unfortunately United created little else and a disastrous mistake by a struggling Des Hamilton presents Newsome with the winner.

Wednesday 14 Jan 1998

A year into his reign Dalglish - despite mounting disgruntlement amongst the fans - states that "I was right to take the job and nothing has happened over the last 12 months to tell me I've made the wrong decision. It is a great club and a great job and I'll never regret coming here".

It is reported that Asprilla is on his way back to Parma.

Saturday 17 Jan 1998 - Newcastle 2 Bolton 1

The return of Shearer (coming on for the last 18 minutes) provides the lift for United to record a Premiership victory for the first time since mid November.

Barnes gives United an early lead [6] but Blake grabs an equaliser [71].

Dalglish throws Al on and in the first minute of injury time super sub Temuri grabs the winner before embarking on the craziest hoarding kicking, boot removing, shirt dispensing celebration you are ever likely to see. "I was happy" he states later.

Sunday 18 Jan 1998

The NoW run an article on Asprilla who is quoted as accusing Dalglish of having "lost the plot" whilst denying bust-ups with fellow players and punch-ups in city centre restaurants.

A Newcastle spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident regarding Tino Asprilla in a restaurant. But while the club is obviously disappointed that Tino found himself involved in something, we understand that Tino is planning to resolve the situation himself."

Tuesday 20 Jan 1998 - Prem - Liverpool 1 Newcastle 0

A spirited |United performance but that man Owen [18] provides the killer goal again. Tomasson is unlucky to have a "goal" dubiously chalked off.

Asprilla is transferred to Parma for £6 million.

Sunday 25 Jan 1998 - FAC3 - Stevenage 1 Newcastle 1

Following all the hoo-ha THE game finally arrives and United are boosted by the return of Shearer to the starting line-up. On a typically poor non-League pitch the nation waits and hopes for another Hereford

Shearer heads in after only 152 seconds but with the wind in their favour the non-League outfit battle back and equalise just before half-time. United dominate after the break but cannot add to the score.

Dalglish is happy to survive but does himself no favours by implying that the weather, the pitch and the bouncy ball all contributed to the failure to win. Not surprisingly the press have another field day at "humiliated" United's expense.

Monday 26 Jan 1998

Triallist Jorg Bohme and new recruit David Terrior (unattached) fail to sparkle in a 3-0 Reserves defeat at home to Barnsley.

Tuesday 27 Jan 1998

Dalglish finally signs a player as Swedish international Andreas Andersson is signed from AC Milan for £3 million. He is described as a "direct, pacy forward with plenty of ability in the air".

Thursday 29 Jan 1998

19-year-old right-back Andy Griffin signs from Stoke for £1.5 million.

Meanwhile United announce that they have bought a 40 acre site in Benfield to build a £10 million soccer academy.