An emphatic First Division title romp under Kevin Keegan provided the Newcastle faithful with their first taste of FA Premier League football in 1993. Keegan's side were powered by a prolific strike force - the goal-hungry Andy Cole combining with wily veteran Peter Beardsley. A grand tally of 82 goals saw them end the season in third place - their highest finish in 67 years.

They went even closer to the top prize two years later, leading by 12 points at one stage, only to fall at the final hurdle and finish second to Manchester United. And when Kenny Dalglish was named boss after Keegan departed, Newcastle again finished in second place, with the Red Devils out in front once again. Dalglish and latterly Ruud Gullit also secured consecutive appearances in the FA Cup final, providing plenty of cheer for the loyal Toon support.

Sir Bobby Robson then blended a classic mixture of youth and experience to put Newcastle among the leading contenders in the Barclays Premiership, before leaving the club in August 2004, with Graeme Souness taking charge. Former England captain Alan Shearer delayed his retirement - he had planned to quit after the 2004/2005 campaign - in order to continue leading the line for his boyhood club. And with summer signings Emre and Scott Parker providing the ammunition Shearer overtook Jackie Milburn's club record goals tally.

Souness parted company with the club in February 2006, with Glenn Roeder and Shearer taking charge of first-team affairs. At the end of the season, Roeder was handed the manager's job full-time and Shearer, who had retired with 206 Magpies goals to his name, became sporting ambassador for the club.

CLUB
Newcastle United were formed in 1892 following a merger between rivals Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End when the latter hit financial trouble. East End, who were originally named Stanley on formation in 1881, moved across the city and the new club took up residence at St James' Park, the home of West End. The Magpies became giants of the pre-First World War game, earning three league titles and one FA Cup before 1914. With Jackie Milburn carving out legendary status for himself on Tyneside, three FA Cup triumphs in the 1950s gave the supporters reason to celebrate. And the Fairs Cup was secured in 1969 with a 6-2 aggregate victory over Ujpest Dozsa of Hungary. In 1992, with the Toon playing Second Division football, former Magpies hero Kevin Keegan was made manager. His arrival kick-started a revival and his five-year spell saw the club become serious contenders for the FA Premier League title. And Sir Bobby Robson's appointment in 1999 saw the impetus of the Keegan years restored as they enjoyed consecutive top-four finishes in 2002 and 2003.