This page is dedicated to some of the great Keeper'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.

Willie McFaul

1966-1974

As a player, he was an outstanding last line in what many  considered the best defence in the clubs long history. From 1968 until 1975, he  ruled the penalty area; a great performer in the air despite his average height,  while his courage at diving at his opponents feet was legendary.  His penalty  save in the 1969 Fairs cup Semi-Final was  instrumental in getting the Toon  through. He was however, limited to only six International call ups, this was in  fact due to the skills and ability of one Pat Jennings. Had it not been for  Jennings, these call ups would rightly so have been many more.  McFaul signed  from Linfield for £7,000 by Joe Harvey in 1966. After the departure of Jack  Charlton, Ian took the position of Manager at the Toon in 1985, having worked  with the juniors since hanging up his gloves. After quite a good start in his  first three seasons the Toon reached 11th 17th and eighth. However, after a poor  start in October 1988 he was replaced by the bald eagle Jim Smith. Despite his  ignominious departure from St James, McFaul will always be recalled with  affection by fans of forty-something and beyond.

Pavel Srnicek's

A former Eastern Bloc soldier, Pavel Srnicek's arrival in the North-East during December 1990 for trials coincided with some of the poorest Newcastle displays on record, as the Magpies struggled in the old Division Two. At the time the tall, well-built keeper could speak little English and Pavel had a torrid early spell in United's side. However, Srnicek was deter mined to succeed. The Czech gradually settled on Tyneside, learned English and improved his all-round goalkeeping skills, especially on the cross-ball. His progress was such that when Kevin Keegan took over the chair at Newcastle, Pavel claimed the Number One position, even though Mike Hooper was soon purchased as first choice.

Acrobatic and with exceptional shot-stopping ability, Pav earned something of a cult following with United's crowd with a series of spectacular saves as Newcastle entered the Premiership in 1993. One against Everton, in which he twisted in mid-air, even prompted the legendary Gordon Banks to vote it one of his Top Ten greatest saves! .

Srnicek, who was Ludo Miklosko's deputy in the Banik team, reached his country's international side and was part of the Czech squad during the Euro '96 championships. But Pav always had a constant battle to keep the first- team shirt at St James' Park. He saw off Hooper, only for Shaka Hislop and, Shay Given to come into the side. That competition has been frustrating for Srnicek and he reluctantly quit Tyneside.