10 Underwhelming Newcastle Signings Who Became Cult Heroes

8. Ryan Taylor

Never standing out as a particularly outstanding player during a career spent at Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic, Ryan Taylor seemed to have a personal vendetta against the Magpies, scoring in four consecutive games against Newcastle for the Latics. It appeared that the club had finally tired of his goal-scoring habit in February 2009, as they moved to sign him in a part-exchange deal with Charles N'Zogbia.

With the club in turmoil, sliding perilously close to the dreaded drop-zone, the 25-year-old utility man's signature hardly filled the supporters with confidence, with many mooting that the former Tranmere man had only been brought in to curtail his penchant for goals against the Toon. Following a difficult opening six months for the Magpies, during which time they were ignominiously relegated, Taylor found his feet in the Championship, making 31 appearances and weighing in with four goals.

Injuries sidelined him for much of the club's first season back in the top-flight, but the former Wigan favourite was a virtual ever-present the following season, as boss Alan Pardew masterminded a fifth-placed finish. Further injuries have since deprived him of the last two years of his career, but such was his popularity on Tyneside, that his contract was never in danger of termination as he continued his rehabilitation. If he never scores another goal for the club, at least 'Over the Wall' will always be remembered for that match-winning free-kick at the Stadium of Light in 2011.