John Barnes spent two seasons at Newcastle United during the late 1990s.
Newcastle United fans have had the pleasure of witnessing a number of footballing greats during the club’s history – with John Barnes being one of them.
Having joined the Magpies at the later stages of his career, Toon supporters didn’t get to see the best of Barnes at Newcastle.
His talent however was still clear to see, providing the Toon faithful with a number of memorable moments during his short spell.
John Barnes’ Newcastle career
Following a successful ten-year spell at Liverpool, Barnes was snapped up by former Reds boss Kenny Daglish in 1997.
He was signed alongside former England teammate Stuart Pearce and former Liverpool colleague Ian Rush as the Magpies looked to build upon back-to-back second-place finishes.
Despite reaching the FA Cup final and famously beating Barcelona in the Champions League, Barnes’ debut Newcastle campaign would end in disappointment with the Magpies finishing 13th in the league.
Having sold the likes of Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley, the Toon army struggled for goals under Daglish, with Barnes ending up as Newcastle’s top goal scorer with just six goals.
Newcastle’s struggles would continue in the 1998-99 season with Daglish receiving the sack in the early stages of the season – being replaced by Ruud Gullit.
The Dutchman’s appointment as Toon boss would ultimately spell the end of Barnes’ Newcastle career, being dropped from the squad and forced to train with the reserves – Barnes eventually left St James’ Park in February 1999, joining Charlton Athletic on a free transfer.
John Barnes speaks on his ‘love’ for Newcastle United
Barnes has since reflected on his Newcastle spell highlighting that famous Barcelona win as a ‘special’ night in his career.
Telling Chronicle Live in 2018: “To play so well against Barca and do what we did that night does not get much better.
“As much as people will remember it for Tino’s hat-trick for the biggest feature of the game was Keith Gillespie’s performance.
“Don’t forget this was against a top notch Barcelona defence and he ripped them open time and time again.
“He gave them a torrid time and it was probably his best game for the club.
“The Champions League is special and for me, it was even more so as I’d never played in it because Liverpool were banned for five years.
“The European nights are special and Newcastle didn’t have many.”
The former England international also highlighted his love for the city, 25 years since leaving the club.
“I loved the people and culture of the fans at Newcastle.
“I have a soft spot for all the teams I played for.”
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