Rob Lee spent ten years at St. James Park, racking up over 300 appearances and engraving his name into the hearts of the Geordie faithful. However, in the summer of 1992, weeks before he signed for Kevin Keegans Toon side from Charlton Athletic, he was almost readying himself to sign for a different north-east outfit. With Boro boss Lennie Lawrence having expressed an interest in the 26 year old midfielder, he began to grow weary at the lack of privacy the story was generating, having made several bids for the player.
''Ive pulled out. Every time I made an offer, it appeared in the newspapers and I just wasnt generally happy with the way it was going. In fact, it reached the stage where I would be bidding against myself if I was not careful! - Lennie Lawrence, September 1992.
Lee subsequently signed for promotion-chasing Newcastle, with Keegan having persuaded him that Tyneside was closer to the English capital than Middlesbrough. The Boro were subsequently relegated from the top-flight, while their north-east neighbours instantly took their place, with Lee amongst their ranks. A good luck charm, perhaps?