Alan Irwin
A season of cup final heartbreak and off-field scandal.
Newcastle United's 1997–98 season saw them finish 13th in the FA Premier League and reach the FA Cup final, losing to Arsenal.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Left-back
- Nationality
- Scottish
- Club
- Newcastle United
- Era at newcastle
- None (fictional)
Lore & Background
The club sold David Ginola and Les Ferdinand to Tottenham Hotspur, and Alan Shearer suffered a horrific ankle injury in a pre-season friendly that kept him out for half the season. Manager Kenny Dalglish signed Shay Given, Temur Ketsbaia, John Barnes, and veteran striker Ian Rush (aged 36). The highlight was a 3–2 UEFA Champions League win over Barcelona with a hat-trick from Faustino Asprilla. Premier League form suffered after Asprilla's departure in January. The club reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 24 years but lost 2–0 to Arsenal. Controversy arose in March 1998 when chairman Freddie Shepherd and deputy chairman Douglas Hall were filmed in a Spanish brothel making remarks ridiculing Shearer, boasting of ripping off supporters, and calling Newcastle women 'dogs'; both resigned, and Sir John Hall returned as acting chairman. Dalglish's cautious style proved unpopular, and the team scored only 35 league goals all season.
Reader's Guide
Newcastle United finished 13th in the Premier League. They reached the FA Cup final but lost 2–0 to Arsenal. They entered the 1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup because Arsenal completed the double. Total spending on transfers was £17,450,000; total income from transfers was £21,150,000.
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