1997-98 Season - September

Tuesday 09 Sep 1997

Dalglish brings in two triallists: French Under-21 midfielder Bernard Allou and Spaniard Alejandro Sierra Fumero.

Saturday 13 Sep 1997

United slump to a 3-1 home defeat against table footers Wimbledon. Dalglish is "not making excuses" but calls for internationals to be played at weekends rather than during midweek. United had 12 players away on international duty and Faustino Asprilla arrived back on Tyneside only an hour before the game.

Monday 15 Sep 1997

Sir John announces that he will stand down as Chairman at the club's AGM on December 1. Vice-chairman Freddie Shepherd is to replace him with Sir John's son Douglas stepping up to vice-chairman.

KK's much anticipated autobiography is due out and will be available in all good bookshops, but not in NUFC stores. "The book will not be on sale at the club or at any of our other outlets. The author is no longer part of the set-up here. This is all we have to say on the matter."

It strengthened rumours that Keegan had not left on the best of terms

Wednesday 17 Sep 1997

Newcastle 3 Barcelona 2, quite simply one of the greatest matches in the club's history.

It is a great team performance with hat-trick man Asprilla, speed-merchant Gillespie and Given leading the way.

Roared on by a vociferous crowd United take the game to the Spanish giants from the off and after a couple of missed opportunities Asprilla "earns" a penalty after being upended by the visitors stand in keeper Hesp.

Hesp's flailing hand cannot prevent the spot-kick going into the net inside his right post [22m].

Nine minutes later and Asprilla bulets in a header after a brilliant cross from Gillespie

Within three minutes of the restart Gillespie sets off on a 70 yard run before setting up the Colombian again to complete a stunning hat-trick with another sweet headers.

Barcelona retaliate at last. Enrique chests home from close range [72nd] to set up a nervy finale.

Given saves brilliantly from Dugarry, Rivaldo smacks the crossbar from 20 yards and Batty heads off the goal line as the visitors take control.

When Figo scores again [88th] fears of a typical collapse arise but United hang on.

One man not witnessing the game live is Kevin Keegan. He is contracted to provide commentary for ITV's live Champions' League transmissions but has a clause written in stating that he wouldn't cover matches involving his former club.

Before the match Barcelona manager Van Gaal had stated confidently: "We work as a team and I will not either play man-for-man markers or will I put two players on their most dangerous player Faustino Asprilla."

After the match Tino smiles and says: "Three goals - not bad."

Saturday 20 Sep 1997

Kevin Keegan claims he still has no regrets about leaving Newcastle. "I enjoyed watching the Newcastle performance and whatever happens between now and the end of my life, what happened at Newcastle can not be taken away. "It was enjoyable, but now I do what I want to do.

"It's now somebody else's job to take Newcastle further and the club is in great hands with Kenny. They just could not have found many people to take it on to the next stage. "But in Kenny they got somebody who can and you just have to look at his record."

Sunday 21 Sep 1997

Given is in outstanding form again at Upton Park making a host of brilliant saves to deny a rampant Hammers side. West Ham dominate the match but a peach from Barnes (who receives a torrent of abuse from his previous suitors) secures a win for the visitors.

Tuesday 23 Sep 1997

Dalglish pulls out of a deal to buy PSG midfielder Bernard Allou after the clubs fail to agree on a fee.

Meanwhile, AC Milan defender Massimo Oddo and Aussie left winger Carlos Gonzalez arrive on trial.

Wednesday 24 Sep 1997

Newcastle struggle to break down The Toffees blanket defence and even though Bilic is controversially sent-off to reduce them to ten men it looks as though The Magpies will have to settle for a point..

Then with only two minutes left Ian Rush sets up Robert Lee who lashes the ball into the net.

Thursday 25 Sep 1997

Kevin Keegan shocks the world of football by taking over as Chief Operating Officer at Second Division Fulham. He claims to have received many offers to return to football but stated that Fulham's was the only one which had interested him enough to make him want to come back.

Arthur Cox (who left United in the previous week) becomes Keegan's chief scout.

Sunday 28 Sep 1997

A sluggish and defensive performance at Stamford Bridge brings no reward as Gustavo Poyet heads the only goal after 74 minutes.

It is stated that Asprilla's absence was due to a stomach upset