10 Players You Didn't Know Were On Trial At Newcastle United

5. David Templeton

In his early twenties, David Templeton was probably at the front of the queue to be Scotland's next breakthrough player, but through Ally McCoist's incredible powers of persuasion he decided instead to ply his trade in fourth tier football. He's occasionally looked like Gareth Bale when playing against Clyde and the like, but there's a distinct feeling that he'll only have fulfilled a fraction of his promise when Rangers reemerge on the biggest stage. Who knows how his development might have panned out though if, in the summer of 2006, "teenage sensation" Davey Templeton impressed enough in his short trial at Newcastle United. With Alan Shearer having hung up his boots some months previously, Glenn Roeder was at the helm for what was a new, and ultimately depressing, era at the club, but one positive was the number of exciting prospects in the youth academy. Peter Ramage, Paul Huntington, Matty Pattinson and more all made their way into the first team in the coming months, and looking at where they are now (Barnsley, Preston, Gateshead), there's every chance Templeton could have graduated as well. However, mere days into his trial Templeton picked up an injury and was sent back across the border to Stenhousemuir. A year later he made the move to Hearts and, at only 25, still has time to make good on the excitement that surrounded his early career. Although it probably won't be at St James' Park. Went on to: Leave the defenders at Forfar, Alloa and Greenock Morton dazed and confused.Not considered as good as: A fit James Troisi, Matty Pattinson, or Alan O'Brien.