10 Underwhelming Newcastle Signings Who Became Cult Heroes

7. Nicky Butt

Signed as a replacement for the ageing Gary Speed in the summer of 2004, the £2.5 million signing from Manchester United certainly didn't get pulses racing on Tyneside when he penned a four-year contract at St. James' Park. With Speed having established himself as a firm fan favourite at the club, Geordies had expressed their dismay at Newcastle's willingness to allow him to move to Bolton Wanderers so freely.

As a result, it could be argued that his replacement was never given a fair crack of the whip by onlooking supporters, pining for their former servant. Butt certainly didn't do much to change the opinion of the sceptics during his first couple of seasons, producing some tepid and nervous displays, before being shipped out to Birmingham City on loan within a year.

However, he would eventually win the crowd over as he became more involved with the first-team under new boss Glenn Roeder during the 06/07 season, even beginning to deputise as captain whenever Scott Parker found himself in the infirmary. Having been made permanent captain for the club's Championship campaign in 2009, he helped the club to title success and instant promotion, cementing a complete turnaround in fortunes for the man who had nearly been hounded out of the North-East half a decade earlier.