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

7. James Perch

Played for NUFC: 2010 - 2013

Appearances: 81, Goals: 1

Perch's is a bonafide zero to hero story with Newcastle supporters lambasting the Club for allowing him to join Wigan last summer after his wish for a new contract at St James' Park was rebuffed. It marked a stunning turnaround for a player who affectionately became known as 'Perchino' after suffering widespread ridicule in an average first season at St James' Park.

Joining from Nottingham Forest in July 2010, the utility man was fielded at right-back by Chris Hughton in the absence of the injured Danny Simpson. Perch was a fish out of water in the Premier League and struggled to settle into his new position, becoming the first player to receive a yellow card in each of his first five top-flight games and was swiftly dropped when Simpson resumed full fitness in October.

It seemed to signal the death knell for Perch as he slipped out of the reckoning under Hughton and Alan Pardew. So it is a testament to the Mansfield Zanetti's resolve and character that he would earn our lasting respect by fighting his way back into the first-team picture during the 2011/12 campaign and made good fist of his rudimentary qualities in a variety of positions, most notably as a holding midfielder and central defender.