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Newcastle United: Top ten goalkeepers in club history

By Roy Emanuel

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given tries to look out during the snow blizzard during the 5th Round FA Cup match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James Park on February 20, 2005 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given tries to look out during the snow blizzard during the 5th Round FA Cup match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James Park on February 20, 2005 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Joe Harvey, the Newcastle United team captain, receives the FA Cup trophy from Winston Churchill, after his team’s 1-0 victory over in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Joe Harvey, the Newcastle United team captain, receives the FA Cup trophy from Winston Churchill, after his team’s 1-0 victory over in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) /

5 – Ronnie Simpson (1951-1960)

Newcastle United and the FA Cup have a special relationship, with the Magpies having lifted the trophy six times. The Toon captured the cup three times in the 1950s, and two of those triumphs featured Ronnie Simpson at goalkeeper.

Simpson made close to 300 appearances across all competitions for United, and helped the squad win the FA Cup in 1952 and 1955.

The Scottish international saw the game perfectly, and put himself in the right positions to thwart opposing attacks. Despite not having the size that other keepers had, Simpson would stop shots any way that he could.

Simpson’s skills and intelligence only increased with his years, evidenced by a fascinating trajectory with his national side.

The keeper spent nine years at St. James’ Park before returning to Scotland to play for Hibernian and Celtic. He would go on to win the European Cup with Celtic, and make his national team debut at the age of 36.

Noted for his sense of humour that made him a popular player, Simpson was a person who was able to understand his own limitations and use them as an advantage. Experience can be a strong attribute, and that helped him to contribute during all stages of his career.

It is not easy to follow success, but Ronnie Simpson simply would not be denied when he was with Newcastle United.

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