Top 10 Newcastle United Legends: Newcastle Best Players Ever (Ranked)

More than just a football club, Newcastle United is the beating heart of the North East and a symbol of pride, pain, and perseverance. Throughout the club’s thick and thin, one thing remained constant: the unwavering support of the Magpies and the legends of the game who won hearts and made history.

The Toons have witnessed the illustrious careers of some of the legends. From Kevin Keegan to Alan Shearer, the Magpies have produced and nurtured some of the iconic players in the history of Premier League football. While clubs like Liverpool, which have legends like Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush, and Kenny Dalglish, Newcastle also boasts an elite list of legends who have shaped the legacy of St. James’ Park.

From entertaining the fans to etching their names in history, these players have defined eras and lifted silverware that won generations. Join us as we take a look at the best Newcastle United legends who have graced St. James’ Park all these years. Here, we will look at the Newcastle Best Players:

List of Best Newcastle United Players Ever

From lifting the top flight trophies to leading the team for years, these legends of Newcastle United have solidified their names in the history books of English club football. Here is a quick glance at the all-time Newcastle best players:

Rank	Player	Position	Tenure
10	Pavel Srnicek	Goalkeeper	1991–1998, 2006–2007
9	Les Ferdinand	Striker	1995–1997
8	Rob Lee	Midfielder	1992–2002
7	Gary Speed	Midfielder	1998–2004
6	Malcom Macdonald	Striker	1971–1976
5	Shay Given	Goalkeeper	1997–2009
4	Kevin Keegan	Forward	1982–1984
3	Peter Beardsley	Forward/Attacking Midfielder	1983–1997
2	Jackie Milburn	Forward	1943–1957
1	Alan Shearer	Striker	1996–2006

How we Ranked the Best Newcastle United Players of All Time?

In our list, these legends of Newcastle United were selected based on a few factors and quantitative metrics, such as:

• Longevity: Longevity is the first and the most important factor considered while curating the list of best Newcastle United legends. We have the players who graced St. James’ Park for years, sticking with the Toons in their highs and lows. However, we have couple of players in this list who is an exception to this.
• Consistency: There are players who have phenomenal form for a couple of seasons, and then there are the ones who deliver solid performances year in and year out. In addition to longevity, we have also considered the consistency of a player for this list.
• Impact in Key Matches: In addition to being a reliable player in the locker room, a true professional’s greatness often comes down to performing when it matters. We also considered the players who rose to the occasion in high-stakes matches like derbies and European nights.
• Trophies & Achievements: In addition to a player’s longevity, consistency, and impact in key matches, we have also considered trophies and achievements while ranking the list of the best Newcastle United players.

Who are Newcastle Best Players Ever?

Now that you are aware of the ranking factors, let us take a look at the best Newcastle United players:

10. Pavel Srnicek

Another cult hero for the Magpies, Pavel Srnicek, is more than just a goalkeeper for the Toon Army. He is on the list of Newcastle best players for his commitment to the club during turbulent times.

From spectacular saves to being the inspiration for the team, he was just as loved in the locker room as he was by the fans. After his first tenure, he had another spell with the club in 2006. From the streets to the hierarchy of St. James’ Park, everybody considers him as one of the Newcastle United Legends.

Appearances	Goals Conceded	Clean Sheets	Trophies Won/ Achievements
184	191	65	PFA Player of the Year Nominee

9. Les Ferdinand

Les Ferdinand is another player in this list of Newcastle United Legends who had a short stint for the Toon Army. He only played a couple of seasons and instantly became a fan favorite. His 50-goal tally in 84 appearances speaks volumes about his impact.

Along with David Ginola, who is an honorable mention, he helped the Magpies challenge for the title. His work ethic and humility were adored by the fans. In fact, many protested the decision when the club allowed him to leave as one of the best Newcastle United players.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
147	83	23	PFA Player of the Year Nominee

8. Rob Lee

Speaking of midfielders, another reliable name in Newcastle United back in the late 90s is none other than Rob Lee. Rob was the most important name in the squad during Newcastle’s rise and their glorious run in the 1990s.

His versatility allowed him to add value to both the center attacking midfield and center midfield roles. For his playmaking and goal-scoring abilities, he was a regular through managerial changes and ranks among the best Newcastle United players.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
381	46	51	PFA Team of the Year

7. Gary Speed

Gary Speed was one of those midfielders in that era who has everything that the modern footballers lack. Discipline, work rate, leadership, composure, and vision. Signed in 1998 from the Toffees, Speed became a regular in the squad right away. He is one of the Newcastle United Legends.

From long-range goals to his work rate, he became a fan favorite due to his performances in European and domestic campaigns. Moreover, his mentorship was crucial for the young players coming through the youth setup.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
285	39	21	2x English FA Cup runner-up

6. Malcom Macdonald

While many fans of modern football are unaware of Malcom Macdonald, back in his time, he was one of the glamourous footballer who graced the pitch of St. James’ Park. He spent a total of five seasons with the Magpies and managed to score 121 goals for the Toon Army.

The Toons Army acquired his services back in 1971 from Luton. And the rest was history. Considered as one of the big names in Newcastle best players, the fan favorite moment of his was when he scored a hat-trick on his home debut against Liverpool.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
227	121	7	–

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5. Shay Given

After Alan Shearer, Shay Given was the second player who Newcastle United signed from Blackburn Rovers. To this day, he is one of the best goalkeepers of Newcastle United. From positioning to reflexes, Shay was indeed the last line of defense for the Magpies.

During the Bobby Robson era, he played the most important role, helping the Toons Army qualify for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup. Even though Shay had many lucrative contract offers coming his way due to his performances, he chose to stay at Newcastle United and become a fan favourite.

Appearances	Goals Conceded	Clean Sheets	Trophies Won/ Achievements
463	587	132	1x UEFA Intertoto Cup Winner, 3x POTY

4. Kevin Keegan

Unlike the likes of Alan Shearer and Peter Beardsley, Kevin Keegan had a short stint in Newcastle United as a player. But make no mistake, The two-time Ballon d’Or winner’s impact for the Toons Army was immense. His goals in big matches made him a cult hero for Newcastle United.

In addition to entertaining the Magpies as a player, Kevin Keegan also returned to the club as a manager during the Entertainers era. In fact, during his tenure, the Toons were very close to winning a trophy.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
85	49	17	1x Promotion to 1st League

3. Peter Beardsley

If we talk about artistry in the pitch and tactical intelligence, arguably anyone gets close to the legend Peter Beardsley. A gifted playmaker, Beardsley was famous among the Toons and the world for his beautiful dribbling and vision in the pitch.

He graced the Toon Army with his flair from 1983 to 1997. Even though he played as an attacking midfielder, he often dropped deep to link up with high defense line, letting the likes of Les Ferdinand and other defenders thrive.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
326	121	43	–

2. Jackie Milburn

Before the tale of Alan Shearer, there was Jackie Milburn who was a fan favorite in the Tyne. He was famous for his Wor Jackie moniker. During the golden era of the club back in 1950s, Milburn played an integral role for the team.

From pace to agility, Jackie had it all. His tenacity on the pitch and leadership allowed Newcastle United to win 3 FA Cups.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
399	201	6	3x FA Cup

1. Alan Shearer

From the streets to St. James’ Park, Alan Shearer is the name everyone in the Tyne is proud of. After playing for Blackburn Rovers, Shearer made a record-breaking 15 million move to his home, Newcastle, rejecting the Manchester United approach.

From volleys to long-range screamers, over the years, Shearer’s consistent performance and his personality etched his spot in the history of Newcastle United. His loyalty towards the club and the fans rewarded him with a statue right outside St. James’ Park. It proves why Shearer remains atop the list of legends of Newcastle United.

Appearances	Goals	Assists	Trophies Won/ Achievements
405	206	58	4x POTY, 2x UEFA Cup top scorer

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