This page is dedicated to some of the great defender's  who have graced St James's Park over the years. Sadly many did not win honours  with the Toon but certainly won the Hearts of the fanatical Toon Army Fans.  Over the next few months this page will be updated, so if you have a Toon  Favourite please E mail me and I will endeavour to publish that individuals profile.

Alan Kennedy

1972-1978

Born in Sunderland Alan Kennedy joined Newcastle as an  apprentice in 1971, becoming a professional in September of the following  year. He made his first team debut against Stoke in March 1973 and was a  member of the side in the league that reached the 1974 FA Cup final. He went  on to make 210 appearances (158 in the league) over the next six years,  forming a sound full-back partnership with Irving Nattrass, before moving to  Liverpool in a £330,000 deal. He was 19 when he played in the Cup Final,  winning his chance because right-back Jim Craig had a broken arm. Veteran  Frank Clarke switched flanks to fill the gap, giving the youngster his chance. 

And although the Magpies failed to fly that day as a team, he must have  impressed opponents Liverpool with his performance. It was at Anfield Kennedy  went on to achieving lasting fame and fortune. A left-back of considerable  pace and enterprise, he went on to play a prominent role in the clubs dominance of both English and European football. He scored the only goal in  the 1981 European cup final to beat Real Madrid and scored the winning penalty  in a shoot out against Roma in the 1985 final. In 1985 he nearly made the  return journey to St James Park, but choose his home town side