Alan Shoulder 1953-2025 | OneFootball

United paid £20,000 to bring the Bishop Auckland-born forward to St. James' Park in 1978 from non-league Blyth Spartans at the age of 25, as he swapped a career as a Deputy at Horden pit for the second division of English football - his wages reportedly jumping from £14 a week to £300 a week.

He quickly made the step up to successfully partner Peter Withe for two seasons and scored 21 goals in 1979/80, many through sheer persistence - although he was also clinical from the penalty spot and netted nine spot-kicks that season, a club record. Shoulder was the club's Player of the Year in that campaign.

In all, he scored 38 times in 117 appearances for the Magpies before joining Carlisle United in 1982. He went on to play for Hartlepool United and then returned to non-league, with his last game coming for Brandon against Dunston in the Northern League at the age of 53.

A special guest at Newcastle United's monthly Memory Café a year ago, Alan will be sadly missed and the thoughts of everybody at the club are with his family and friends.