10 Newcastle Heroes Whose Careers Nosedived Since Leaving

6. Peter Beardsley

Former Newcastle wing wizard can lay claim to having left the club twice. Both times yielded polarising and differing outcomes. When he left St. James€™ Park in 1987 after four years, he proceeded to spend six years in Merseyside with both Liverpool and Everton, winning two league titles, an FA Cup and three Charity Shields along the way. The second time he left, however, was in 1997 after yet another four years with the Tyneside outfit. By now, the wide-man was 36 years old so it makes sense that he wasn€™t at the peak of his powers. The 97/98 season was spent at both the Reebok Stadium and at Maine Road - on a loan deal - where he amassed 23 appearances and scored two goals in total. He subsequently played 21 appearances for Fulham under old boss Kevin Keegan in 1998, before finishing his career with Division Three strugglers Hartlepool United during the 98/99 season. His two appearances at the age of 38 with A-League side Melbourne Knights hardly count as a proper curtain-closer on a wonderful career.