10 Hardest Men That Ever Played For Newcastle United

5. Stuart Pearce

You don't acquire the name 'Psycho' if you're not a little bit unhinged. The story of Pearce attempting to run off a broken leg and then opting to walk off rather than make use of a stretcher just confirms his status as one of the toughest men in professional football. He was fearless in the heart of battle for club and country and rarely shirked a tackle during his two seasons in a black and white shirt.

Pearce would run through a brick wall to regain possession for his team and had the ability to render an opposing winger frozen on the spot by shooting an icy stare in their direction. That's how feared the former England international left-back was. It's a wonder why ex-Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit didn't take heed of this when he got on the wrong side of Pearce and midfielder Rob Lee during the 1998/99 season.

"When Ruud Gullit joined in training matches at Newcastle, I would go out of my way to lump him," Pearce wrote in his autobiography. "The one time I did connect, Gullit went clean over my back. At least the lads were amused! Rob Lee offered to leave his pass short to give me another crack at him."