Modern Magpies 1993/94: Premiership Debut

ACTIVITY was hectic at St James Park during the summer months of 1993 as Newcastle United made sure they were ready on and off the field for their first taste of the FA Carling Premiership.

Ground redevelopment was well underway and manager Keegan had money to spend. Media speculation was rife that several players were heading north to Tyneside.

The signing to catch the public's imagination was the £1.5m homecoming of Peter Beardsley who returned to Tyneside from Everton. At over 30 years of age some doubted the wisdom of paying so much for a player at the end of his career, but Keegan knew his man. Beardsley was to be the key player in a United side that took the Premiership by storm.

Yet the Magpies had to cope without their little playmaker for the opening weeks after he sustained a broken jaw, and took a while to come to terms with the higher standard of football. United though, gradually found their feet and displayed a brand of football that gave Keegan's men the tag of The Entertainers.

An emphatic 3-0 success over Liverpool was the benchmark in United's progress. For long the men from Liverpool had dominated in Tyne-Mersey clashes. Now it was Newcastle's turn. The Anfield side were outplayed and outclassed by a slick moving Magpie machine with Andy Cole - fast becoming a noted centre-forward - grabbing a first-half hat-trick. United also took three points from the return meeting at Anfield to emphasise their newly found status.

Midway through the season a significant moment took place when Kevin Keegan signed a ten year contract. Keegan had shown in a short time that he was capable of managing a top side - few on Tyneside ever doubted that, but many away from the region had to be convinced.

He had transformed the Magpies from an outfit facing the Third Division trapdoor to one capable of challenging for the Premier League title, importantly in a style that impressed everyone.

Newcastle's manager soon splashed out in the transfer market now that cash was rolling into the Gallowgate bank account from every angle. Keegan spent over £2m on Norwich City's exciting winger Ruel Fox and then £2.7m on QPR centre-half Darren Peacock. Both were record signings for the Magpies.

Newcastle ending the 1993-94 season on a high. During March they played five games and won five games with a total of 17 games scored. Included was a magnificent seven against poor Swindon Town on Tyneside.

Newcastle targeted a European place and thrashed Aston Villa by five goals, on the day that Andy Cole grabbed his 40th goal of the season to create a new scoring record for the club. Newcastle finished in a creditable 3rd place behind Champions Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers. They ended the season as the Premiership's record goalscorers with 82 goals. They were back in the big-time.

Season 1993-94

Premier League
Pos Pld W D L F A Pts
3rd 42 23 8 11 82 41 77
FA Cup: R4
League Cup: R3
Top scorer: Cole 41
Avg Attn: 33,467