A tribute to a local hero and a night to remember Powered by counter.bloke.com

The night of the 27th January 1999 will live long in the minds of thousands of geordies that graced St James's park, as the day we paid tribute to one of our own. Peter the great , came home to Newcastle to finally say farewell to all those that had cheered him during his 2 spells at Newcastle United. For the special occasion of his benefit match he had invited all his old friends to play along side him. All of the stars that were invited, accepted his offer and Newcastle prepared for a nostalgic and emotional evening of football. There had been a carnival atmosphere within Newcastle throughout the day. Five thousand Celtic fans had invaded the city centre to have a few drinks before they took there seats as the opposition . The coaches and cars full of the colourful Glaswegians started arriving before noon . By the time kick off came round many of the pubs had reported there best day for years. As eight O'clock approached the Beardsley select eleven team was announced . One at a time Beardsley's team were introduced to a rousing reception from toon army. In Goal Shaka Hislop. The 3 centre backs are Steve Howey, Stuart Pearce and Darren Peacock. Playing as wingbacks, Wor Barton and Robbie Elliot. Midfield consists of John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne and Scott Sellers. Up front Andy Cole and of course Peter Beardsley. Peter was flanked by his children Drew and Stacey, all three looked overwhelmed by the rapturous ovation from the stands. These eleven would play all of the first half as Celtic had asked for at least one half of competitive football. Local Ref and toon fan Alan Wilkie got the game underway quarter of an hour later than planed. It was immediately evident that Celtic were serious about having a proper game. As Beardsley team was just getting warmed up Celtic took the lead. The first goal came from a cross from Henrik Larsson intended for one of his team mates. Darren Peacock was in the wrong place at the wrong time and kneed the ball into his own net. The result hardly mattered, this night was all about stirring up memories of better times and saluting our long lost heroes of the past. Mind you try telling Gazza that a game against the green hooped bhoys was just for fun. Each time he received the ball the Celts would unleash a deafening boo only to be out shouted by the cheering toon army. If it were a competitive match then he would have been Newcastle's man of the half. For Celtic, Henrik Larsson looked very dangerous proving to the geordies that not all Swedes with poncey hair bands are useless. I'd have him any time (in the team that is) . He had set up the second Celtic goal in which Lubo Moravcik had beautifully lobbed the advancing Shakey Hislop (Albert style). The interval saw Geordie old boy and now famous TV presenter Barry Venison take centre stage. He proceeded to introduce those players that for one reason or another wouldn't be playing in tonights game. Out trundled, Ronnie Simpson, Tommy Craig, Alan Thompson, Ruud Gullit, Rob Lee, Darren Huckerby and Steve Stone. How nice I thought , if the last two could be seen week in week out at ST James's park . Lee Clarke , had been injured and Steve Bruce's team were involved in a cup game. No sign though of the injured Batty, or of Kitson and Gilly. They wouldn't be missed as there were so many bigger heroes from the past about to take the stage. After the ball boys , most of whom were the sons of former Newcastle favorites had been introduced and Ant and Deck had given every one a wave, the substitutions for the second half were announced. Off came Hislop, Barton, Cole and Sellers and on came Srnicek, Watson, Shearer and Waddle. Srniceks introduction seemed to bring a change in luck, Celtic hit the bar, hit it wide and we got some lucky deflections. Still though no goals. When John Beresford came on for a 10 minute jog after being on crouches for a good part of the season. It was obvious that the towel had been thrown in by Beardsley team as competitive matches go. Now the night was all about who we would and who we wouldn't see in the famous Black and white shirt. 15 minutes into the game and Bez and Barnes came off, A thunderous roar erupted from the Celtic end as the father and son duo of Paul and Kenny Dalglish entered the arena. There were no boos from the toon army for the man many believed to blame for our current poor performances. Just a gentle applause for the son of TSM. Gazza went off to a great ovation in the the 67th minute .This was the cue for the entry of the one everyone had wanted to see. The appearance of the Messiah coming out of the tunnel wearing that famous No7 shirt was a wonderful site to behold. The noise inside the ground was deafening, the tears of joy were flowing, Kevin Keegan was back. AHHHH IF ONLY . The match progressed with verse after verse of Keegan wonderland echoing around the ground. Celtic had made a number of late substitutions and their new young sensation Mark Burchall put an end to Pavs lucky spell by finding the net with less than 5 minutes left. The rest of the Beardsley Squad of Neilson, Irvine and Pedros old mate Albert Craig sneaked onto the pitch . No one was counting , no one was bothered that we were playing with 14 players. The score was irrelevant on such a night it was all about happy memories.  Steve Watson revived more of days gone by when with just 3 minutes to go he performed his somersault throw in. Is it legal I though as the ball was propelled deep into the penalty area? Surely not, but neither is bringing down Alan Shearer in the box. There was no doubt that it was a penalty, The dive was much, much better than Ginola could ever have performed. Up stepped Pedro to get his last ever goal in a black and white shirt . He turns takes three paces and hits it high over the bar. Obviously he had been put off by the encroaching Celtic keeper so Alan Wilkie forced Peter to take it again. The Keeper didn't dare save it, or we would have been there all night. And so with the last kick of the ball and smiles all round Beardsley hits the target and Mr Wilkie blew to end the game.  Celtic won the game, but we had had our moneys worth. Those who missed tonights game when they had the chance to, will be kicking themselves for turning down the chance when they had it. The 36,773 capacity crowd certainly had their most exciting and emotional night for years. The way players come and go nowadays, this could be the last testimonial that St James's park will ever see. Finally it's encore time with the players doing a lap of honour followed some way behind by Kevin Keegan. With tears in his eyes King Kevin went round the perimeter saluting the fans that still love him so much. Surely this is just a trial separation that will not end in divorce. We love each other so much that we just have to get back together sometime in the future. The same applies with Pedro, this can't be the last we see of him. He, like Keegan and Shearer will always be part of the club, they will all be back as coaches of Newcastle United one day............. It is their destiny