10 Ultimate Cult Heroes Of Newcastle United In The Premier League Era
6. Andy O'Brien
Played for NUFC: 2001 - 2005
Appearances: 162, Goals: 7
"Who put the ball in the Mackems net O'Brien, O'Brien. Liam O'Brien, Andy O'Brien, any, any, any O'Brien"...
Some 13 years after O'Brien's equalising goal against Sunderland in a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light wove him into Geordie folklore the song he shares with namesake Liam is a staple chant for the Newcastle faithful at St James' Park and on the road.
The Republic of Ireland defender was a little-known signing when Sir Bobby Robson paid Bradford £2 million in March 2001 and could peacefully walk down Northumberland Street without a Toon fan batting an eyelid towards him. His Tyne-Wear derby scoring exploits changed that and afterwards he was regularly mobbed by supporters wherever he dare tread in the city.
No matter where I go, people from Newcastle love to remind of the goal! Maybe when Im not here, and 6ft under, theyll still be singing it!" he told the Chronicle.
O'Brien proved to be a solid and dependable rearguard figure for Sir Bobby, who quickly settled on him and Woodgate as our first-choice central defensive partnership, and he helped us to qualify for the Champions League in 2001/02.
He also memorably scored an equalising goal against Arsenal at Highbury that set us on the way to a 3-1 victory and ended our long-running London jinx along with sending us to the top of the Premier League.