It may be hard to believe now, but Brian Kilcline was so nervous about joining Newcastle United that the fearsome centre-back was as 'white as a ghost' by the time he reached Washington Services. It was not the scale of the task that frightened Kilcline as Newcastle fought for their lives in the old First Division in 1992. Rather, it was the fact the veteran was going to be playing for Kevin Keegan in front of those fans in that stadium.
He need not have worried. Kilcline may have only made 45 appearances for the club following his move from Oldham Athletic, but the defender's priceless contribution has never been forgotten after he lifted the dressing room, kept Newcastle up and left with the Magpies flying high in the Premier League.
It goes without saying, then, that the journey from Kilcline's home in Holmfirth to his old stomping ground at St James' Park is not so daunting these days. The 59-year-old certainly did not need a second invitation to cross the Tyne Bridge when he was asked back to the stadium in January to 'sing for my supper'.
