If the signing of Brian Kilcline ranks as one of Keegan's greatest decisions as Newcastle manager then bestowing the captaincy on Owen has to be the worst. Never has a player been reviled so ferociously on Tyneside but the former England striker is more than deserved of his villain sobriquet in these parts. Owen's diabolical conduct as we sank into the Championship will forever stick in the throat of Toon supporters. As our captain at the time he showed little inclination to inspire and rouse the players around him on the pitch and will forever be regarded as the captain who abandoned the black and white ship before it had even sunk. Despite an admirable goalscoring record - 30 goals in 79 games - at Newcastle his four-year stint at St James' Park was pockmarked by various injuries and in the end it looked he'd lost all desire to play for the Club never mind be the inspirational figure we required. And his scurrilous behaviour didn't end there with Owen releasing a nauseating 34-page brochure advertising him to several Premier League clubs before aiming a cowardly jibe at Newcastle saying"I think I'd rather play less and train with top players, rather than playing every minute of every game," after signing for Manchester United in 2009.
