Played for Newcastle: 1996-98 Position: Centre Midfield League Appearances: 83 League goals: 3 David Batty arrived at Newcastle from Blackburn Rovers in 1996 and quickly became a fan-favourite due to his fearsome midfield reputation and fondness of a crunching tackle. A textbook centre midfielder, Batty's never-give-up attitude was appreciated by the Geordie nation and his clenched-fist workmanship earned him many plaudits on Tyneside. The midfielder signed for Kevin Keegan's Newcastle side in 1996 for £3.75 million and provided outstanding cover for the Magpies' defence. His tireless endeavour gave Newcastle's 'Entertainers' the security to play free-flowing attacking football and helped them to a second place finish in the Premier League. Keegan spoke extremely fondly of Batty and believed his work-rate, tackling and unselfish play was a huge part of his success at St James' Park. After Keegan's resignation in 1997, Batty played under Kenny Dalglish and despite a disappointing Premier League finish, the midfielder did start in the 1998 FA Cup Final against Arsenal which Newcastle lost 2-0. Ruud Gullit took over from Dalglish at the end of the 1997-98 season and Batty signed for Leeds United for £4.4 million.
NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.
