1996 Premier League 2nd Place

Lore & Background

After finishing runner-up to Manchester United the previous campaign, Newcastle signed Alan Shearer from Blackburn Rovers for a world record £15 million. The team started the league season well, winning seven of their opening eight games, and a 5–0 victory over Manchester United on 20 October 1996 seemed to confirm a strong title challenge. However, a poor run of form, including seven games without a win, led to manager Kevin Keegan's resignation on 7 January 1997. Kenny Dalglish was appointed on 14 January 1997. A late season surge, including a crucial win at Highbury on 3 May 1997 and a 5–0 rout of Nottingham Forest on the final day, saw the club overtake Liverpool and Arsenal to finish runner-up again to Manchester United and qualify for the Champions League. In cup competitions, Newcastle were knocked out of the League Cup in the fourth round by Middlesbrough, lost in the fourth round of the FA Cup to Ian Woan's double for Nottingham Forest, and reached the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, losing 4–0 on aggregate to AS Monaco.

Reader's Guide

It only notes that Alan Shearer was the club's only signing in the pre-season, arriving for £15 million. Darren Huckerby was loaned to Millwall in November 1996 and later sold to Coventry City for £1 million. Paul Kitson was sold to West Ham United for £1,200,000 in February 1997, and Des Hamilton was signed from Bradford City for £2,500,000 in March 1997 but did not debut until the following season due to injury.

Did You Know?

• Alan Shearer's debut came against Manchester United in the 1996 FA Charity Shield at Wembley, a game Newcastle lost 4–0.
• Kevin Keegan had offered to resign after the 1996 Boxing Day defeat at Blackburn Rovers but was dissuaded by Douglas Hall.
• Bobby Robson was the board's first choice to replace Keegan but refused to break his contract with Barcelona.
• Kenny Dalglish was appointed on 14 January 1997 and was in charge as Newcastle lost 4–3 at Anfield for the second successive year.