Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Newcastle United: Top ten midfielders in club history

By Roy Emanuel

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 7: Gary Speed of Newcastle is presented with an award for playing his 400th Premiership match by Sir Bobby Robson before the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on February 7, 2004 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 7: Gary Speed of Newcastle is presented with an award for playing his 400th Premiership match by Sir Bobby Robson before the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on February 7, 2004 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
9 Dec 1996: Dean Saunders of Forest battles with David Ginola of Newcastle during the Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United FA Carling Premiership match at the City Ground in Nottingham, Great Britain. Mandatory Credit: Graham Chadwick/Allsport
9 Dec 1996: Dean Saunders of Forest battles with David Ginola of Newcastle during the Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United FA Carling Premiership match at the City Ground in Nottingham, Great Britain. Mandatory Credit: Graham Chadwick/Allsport /

6 – David Ginola (1995-1997)

Alright, now I want to preface these next two selections with a bit of a disclaimer. The recent top ten lists have had a great focus on the time spent with the club, and the number of appearances and overall contributions stand out. But sometimes a massive impact can be brief, and David Ginola is a part of that category.

The Frenchman arrived on Tyneside in 1995, as Kevin Keegan was adding pieces to his Entertainers side with the hopes of conquering England and Europe. Ginola’s skill was at another level, and he managed to provide magical moments in a short period of time.

More from Newcastle Toons

He was a key element to the Toon’s title challenges in those years, and added another dimension to the United attack. If Keegan had stayed longer or perhaps if the midfielder was able to get along better with Kenny Dalglish, Ginola could have been at St. James’ Park for more than only a few seasons.

In some ways, it was what Ginola’s signing represented that was as important as his play on the pitch. Newcastle beat out the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to secure his signature in the summer of 1995, and that was something that made all Geordies feel like the club was at a new level.

It wasn’t just David Ginola’s fantastic ability on the ball that was exciting, it was the hope that he provided for the future.

Home/All-Time Lists