On this day in 1999, Sir Bobby Robson took charge of his first Newcastle home game, and it could’t have gone much better.
The Magpies took on Sheffield Wednesday at St James’ Park, with both sides sitting at the wrong end of the table at kick off. Newcastle were bottom of the league, while the Owls were one position higher.
Robson had been drafted in after the resignation of Ruud Gullit, moving from his role with the FA to a place in the St James’ Park dugout.
Robson era kicks off in style
His first game in charge was a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea, but things would pick up a week later at home.
Newcastle were rampant going forward, smashing Sheffield Wednesday for eight as the Magpies kicked off their climb up the table.
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It took Robson’s side just 11 minutes to get their first goal, with Aaron Hughes opening the scoring. 19 years on , and Hughes is still playing football with Hearts.
The hero of the day would be Alan Shearer though, who scored five against the Owls.
Newcastle’s other two goalscorers were Kieron Dyer and Gary Speed.
This was the first of Robson’s 119 victories as Newcastle manager, finishing 11th in his first season.
