10 Ultimate Cult Heroes Of Newcastle United In The Premier League Era

10. Obafemi Martins

Played for NUFC: 2006 - 2009

Appearances: 104, Goals: 35

Martins courageously assumed the mantle of being the first to inherit Alan Shearer's cherished no.9 shirt when he finally became a Newcastle player in the summer of 2006 after a protracted £10 million move from Inter Milan. With bags of pace, an eye for the spectacular and a penchant for back-flips the Nigeria international was a polar opposition to his legendary Toon predecessor.

An impressive debut season in which he scored 17 goals, including a thunderbolt against Tottenham at White Hart Lane that was clocked at 84mph, made him one of the hottest properties in the Premier League. He didn't score as regularly in the next two campaigns, often finding himself playing second fiddle to Michael Owen and Mark Viduka, but he was still a firm favourite amongst the supporters who appreciated his endeavour and commitment.

Martins was also the source of much amusement when it was claimed that he was actually six years older than his passport suggested, prompting the Toon faithful to create the "21 or 28" chant. We still can't fathom if it's true or not.