George Robledo - Bottom row, second from the right.Did anyone take any notice of the history that was made last Saturday?
English football saw the first ever identical twins going head-to-head as managers when the Holdsworth twins, Dean and David, went head-to-head as Newport County took on Mansfield Town in the Conference Premier.
Following this week’s events its certainly good to see two brothers in the news for the right reasons unlike one of our ex-players currently down the road at the Stadium of Light. It’s a historic moment which I suspect may never be repeated, but it got me thinking about Newcastle players past or present who had siblings within the game.
Looking at brother’s and Newcastle United there is only one place to start, the famous Robledo brothers from Chile. Ted and George grew up in Barnsley during the 1930’s with a Mexican father and a mother from Yorkshire. United were orginally only interested in signing George after he impressed for Barnsley but signed Ted after the twins refused to move without each other. (more…)
Sticky Toffee time?Following on from last week’s facts on Blackpool I have decided to take a slightly different approach to this week’s preview of the trip to Goodison Park.
I am now going to try to incorporate more facts relating to this history between the two clubs as well as facts which relate to the big game along with the trivial facts of The Toffee’s to cast your eyes over. I hope you enjoy!
1. The record between the two clubs over the years is incredibly close. Out of 158 games, United have won 62 and Everton have won.. 62, with the the clubs drawing 34 times. The two clubs are even neck and neck for goals scored with United just edging it with 239 compared to 238 for The Toffees.
2. The bad news for United fans travelling down to Goodison Park however is that United have managed just five wins from the last 16 league visits to Merseyside in the Premier League, failing to win in the last 7 trips. United’s last win came in the 2001/02 season with messers Bellamy, Solano and Acuna netting the goals in a 3-1 win. Take some comfort from the fact United battled to a 2-2 in their last visit to Goodison Park in Joe Kinnears first game in the Newcastle hot seat. (more…)
Krul, Harper and Forster - Sorted.I have always felt United have been spoilt for choice with goalkeepers, for the last ten years at least, with Shay Given being and Steve Harper battling for the No.1 jersey. And now, even with Given being No.2 at Manchester ‘Abu Dhabi’ City, United are still blessed in this position.
The fact that our No.3, Fraser Forster, made his Celtic Park debut this weekend as The Hoops cruised to a 3-0 win over Hearts means that the 22-year-old could potentially add an SPL winners medal to the League One winners medal he already holds after a superb season with Norwich City last season.
Even if he did return with the two Championships to his name he will be far from guaranteed even a spot on the bench next season with United also having Dutchman Tim Krul, who has been fantastic whenever he has been called upon for the first team. (more…)
Tangerine facts...Newcastle United line up against a side who were brushed aside by our Championship winning team at St James’ Park last season. Still, they got promoted with us, so being as Ian Holloway is bringing his battling side up to the North East I thought it might be a good idea to put together the top ten facts and stats which may come in useful to Nufcblog.org’s loyal readers.
1. Blackpool’s highest record transfer fee paid is £1.25 million for DJ Campbell, which was paid to Leicester City on deadline day this summer. The striker made his name as part of the Yeading side which played Newcastle in the FA Cup in January 2005 before moving into League football with Brentford.
2. The club hold the unusual record of being the first club promoted from all four divisions via the play-offs having climbed from League Two to the Premier League in just nine years, beginning with Divison 3 play off success over Leyton Orient. The club then beat Yeovil Town 2-0 in League One play-off final, with Robbie Williams netting one of the goals. Finally Ian Holloway lead the club to a suprise play-off success in The Championship last season despite heading into the season as relegation favourites. (more…)
