Played for Newcastle: 1996-98 Position: Centre Midfield League Appearances: 83 League goals: 3 David Batty arrived at Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers in 1996 and quickly became a fan-favourite due to his fearsome midfield reputation and fondness of a crunching tackle. A textbook centre midfielder, Batty's never-give-up attitude was appreciated by the Geordie nation and his clenched-fist workmanship earned him many plaudits on Tyneside. The midfielder signed for Kevin Keegan's Newcastle side in 1996 for £3.75 million and provided outstanding cover for the Magpies' defence. His tireless endeavour gave Newcastle's 'Entertainers' the security to play free-flowing attacking football and helped them to a second place finish in the Premier League. Keegan spoke extremely fondly of Batty and believed his work-rate, tackling and unselfish play was a huge part of his success at St James' Park. After Keegan's resignation in 1997, Batty played under Kenny Dalglish and despite a disappointing Premier League finish, the midfielder did start in the 1998 FA Cup Final against Arsenal which Newcastle lost 2-0. Ruud Gullit took over from Dalglish at the end of the 1997-98 season and Batty signed for Leeds United for £4.4 million.