10. Fabrice Pancrate
Born: May 2nd, 1980 in Paris Signed By: Chris Hughton in 2009 on a free transfer Signed From: Free transfer (released by Paris Saint-Germain) Left Newcastle: Released in 2010 League Appearances: 16 League Goals: 1 Fabrice Pancrate was an oft-forgotten squad player during Newcastle United's Championship winning season, signed on a free transfer after his release by Paris Saint-Germain (before they were rich). An attacking midfielder with a moderate goalscoring record in France and experience of playing in Ligue 1 and La Liga, his signing was a hallmark of Newcastle's new found status as a second tier club. Possibly due to his anonymous status in England and his signature on a free transfer, Pancrate's signature was not met warmly by all fans, and although some acknowledged that he was an extra body from the beginning, some saw the acquisition as a sign of the board's reluctance to spend money on high-quality players. Despite that, Pancrate proved to be a decent member of the Newcastle squad, winning over most fans by making 16 league appearances in the Championship, albeit often from the bench, and setting up a couple of goals in the process. By far the highlight of Pancrate's career on Tyneside, however, was his excellent goal against Watford in December 2009, as he sealed another crucial win by firing into the roof of the net after some skilful play in the opposition area. It was clear from the start, however, that Pancrate was only a short-term option, and with promotion secured and the Championship title won, he was released by manager Chris Hughton at the end of the season. He was, unfairly no doubt, the only significant player over the course of the season to not receive a winner's medal. Nowadays Pancrate, at the age of 32, can be found playing his domestic football back in France, as a key player and regular goalscorer for second division Nantes.
Would he make the cut today? No. Although Pancrate put in a shift and did his job, and scored a memorable goal, he struggled to get into a second tier side.