10 Surprising Revelations About Newcastle Players You'd Never Believe

10. Philippe Albert Is A Green Grocer

"On a day when Newcastle would have taken one-nil against Manchester United, here they are looking for number five, with Philippe Alberrrrrrttttttt!!!! Absolutely glorious!" - Martin Tyler, October 1996.

Not only was he a fine defender for both the Magpies and Belgian national side, but Philippe Albert provided the Premier League with one of its champagne moments over the last 20 years. With Kevin Keegan's swashbuckling Toon side having established themselves as everybody's 'second team' as they launched a couple of assaults on the league title, the sight of Manchester United goalkeeper rooted to the spot and watching in agony as the ball soared over him into the net was one to behold. His tormentor had been Albert, impudently chipping Newcastle's fifth goal of the day in a result that sent reverberations throughout the league. Now at 47 years of age, Tyneside's former cult hero no longer has much of an interest in the sport and runs a fruit and vegetable firm in the Marchinelle market back home in Belgium with a friend of his. He's also a TV pundit, covering Newcastle for Belgian TV and radio, but that's not as intriguing.