Sad news as Newcastle United great John McNamee has passed away | OneFootball

Sad news on Thursday, as it has now been announced that John McNamee has passed away.

The former Newcastle United defender dying at the age of 83, as reported by John Gibson at the Chronicle.

John McNamee was a cult hero for Newcastle fans before cult heroes had even been invented.

The big man was with Newcastle United from 1966 to 1971 and played 117 matches, scoring 8 goals.

Helping United win the Fairs Cup, although he didn’t play in the actual final he featured in earlier rounds, including the excellent goalless draw at Ibrox in the semi-finals.

He was a central defender and a larger than life character who was fully committed – loved by the fans.

Our thoughts are with John’s family and friends.

Back in 2015, we reported on a Newcastle United fan who had launched an appeal to help John McNamee. Living in Cockermouth, Cumbria, he had become one of the many flood victims who had been forced to leave his house due to flooding.

What made it worse was that this was the second time the former United player had been flooded out.

The Newcastle supporter had moved to Cockermouth 25 years earlier and had befriended John McNamee, so started an online fundraising appeal, in order to help raise some cash to help the Toon legend get his life and house back on track.

Here are some of the messages left by people at the time, as they contributed to the online fundraising appeal for John McNamee nine years ago, after those floods.

‘John is one thing of my all-time heroes. The type of centre half we need now – uncompromising and fearless. He certainly seemed to induce fear in the opposition.’

Peter F:

Steve E:

‘Best wishes to a Newcastle hero. From a Soft Southern Bas…. who loves the Toon and wishes we had real players like you now.’

Davey Gee:

‘Putting Colin Stein off the pitch at Ibrox courtesy of a rather robust challenge is my personal highlight. Obviously the Fullwell end crossbar swinging rates highly too.’

Terry Warr:

‘Good Luck big man. Still fondly remembered , running out the tunnel, middle of winter. frost on the pitch and in the air. Big John, short sleeved shirt when all around were freezing. A real man’s man.’

Jim:

‘Good luck to a wonderful servant of Newcastle United. I will always remember his heroic performance for Newcastle against Rangers in the Fairs Cup and also his wonderful goal against Sunderland.’

Dave Greaves:

‘Count this as payment for the enjoyment you gave me when you swung on the net at Roker Park.’