Ranking All NUFC Premier League Goalkeepers - Worst To Best

8. John Karelse - 3 Appearances - 1999-2003

Even to this day the decision to splurge £900,000 on John Karelse remains a mystery to every Newcastle fan. Ruud Gullit's ill-fated forays into the transfer market (Marcelino, anyone!) are best left consigned to the history books but for the purpose of this trip down memory lane we'll reminisce about the hapless Karelse anyway. Plucked from the obscurity of Dutch minnows NAC Breda in August 1999 to cover for an injured Harper, first-choice at the time under Gullit, he debuted on a rainy afternoon against Southampton at the Dell, fishing the ball out of the net four times in a 20 minute period as we slumped to a 4-2 defeat. It didn't get any better for the Dutchman a week later, leaking three against Wimbledon in a thrilling 3-3 draw. It was no surprise that he was restricted to just one more appearance after Gullit was sacked, finally departing St James' Park in 2003 to join AGOVV Apeldoorn.