Peter Beardsley is widely recognised as one of Newcastle United’s most gifted players, but he initially rejected the opportunity to join the Magpies.
Very few players have been able to encapsulate an audience quite like the man born and raised in Longbenton. Even in the latter stages of his career, Peter Beardsley was still a huge part of Newcastle United.
Beardsley was part of Newcastle’s academy setup and the illustrious Wallsend Boys Club, which has developed players like Sean Longstaff and Alan Shearer. However, he opted against starting his professional career on Tyneside, instead joining Cumbrian side Carlisle United.
Beardsley then played for Vancouver Whitecaps and even had a short spell at Manchester United before making his dream move to Newcastle in 1983.
His career took many twists and turns before ultimately landing back home, and in a 1984 interview, Beardsley shared why he opted to join Carlisle despite being offered a deal at Newcastle.
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Why Peter Beardsley rejected Newcastle United for Carlisle
Newcastle legend Shearer named Beardsley as one of the most talented people he ever played with alongside the likes of Tino Asprilla, Keith Gillespie and David Ginola.
Additionally, Beardsley is still one of Newcastle’s top goalscorers, netting 121 times in 326 appearances. He could have started his impressive goalscoring record much earlier, but in 1984, he revealed why he chose Carlisle over his boyhood club.
“There was talk about me coming a couple of years ago when I left school, but I felt the time wasn’t right and went to Carlisle,” Beardsley said.
“But now they’ve come in for me three years later, and it’s a dream move back home. Back with the family, it’s nice to be home.”
Beardsley left Newcastle in 1987 for Liverpool, but made another triumphant return home in 1993 following the Magpies’ promotion to the Premier League.
What Peter Beardsley loved about Kevin Keegan at Newcastle United
In the latter stages of his career, Beardsley was managed by Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan and formed part of the famous ‘entertainers’ side, which came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League in the 1995/96 season.
The end of that season is known to be the origin of Keegan’s famous “I would love it” rant, which sparked the bitter end of Newcastle’s title hopes.
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Beardsley also played alongside Keegan during his first stint at Newcastle, with the latter effectively acting as his apprentice on Tyneside. While Keegan left Newcastle in 1984, Beardsley had still learnt so much from the forward.
On working with Keegan, Beardsley said: “Every day going into training and being there with him, it’s a tremendous joy for me and indeed all of the lads. You can’t put your finger on what he does for you. It’s just amazing what rubs off, you learn so many things day in day out, it’s just tremendous.”
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