Whenever a yardstick is required to measure the stature of Newcastle United then Kevin Keegan's Entertainers are called upon as a comparison. What was built by Sir John Hall following a bloody takeover at the dawn of the nineties stands as the go-to blueprint for those of ambition.
United were one match away from the most humiliating relegation in their history, to the old Third Division, but rose spectacularly through the ranks of football's pyramid at breakneck speed to finish Premier League runners-up in two successive seasons. Indeed the nineties brought us two second-top finishes, Champions League football, and after Keegan left two successive FA Cup finals at Wembley.
It was an exciting, joyous progression from a painful bed of nails to the very brink of glory that captured the imagination of a Geordie public, like today, aching for more than respectability. It also thrilled a nation who took United's swashbuckling style of play to their hearts. They became everyone's favourite team to watch outside of their own.
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As we once again contemplate another take-off to the moon how does this compare to the Keegan Years? It is perhaps a tad unfair on all to measure the modern revolution at this early stage against one which took several seasons to reach fruition but having lived through them both the similarities are undeniable.
A young manager who played with his foot firmly on the gas (just like someone we know now), Keegan revolutionised thinking but still took a short while to get into his impressive stride. The passing of time eliminates all memory of mediocrity but the truth is United began their adventure with tiny steps.
We witnessed the early signings of the likes of Darron McDonagh, Peter Garland and a tubby keeper called Mike Hooper who was embarrassed by Matt Le Tissier and never lived it down. It was hardly a warning of what was to come but as he grew into management Keegan got better and then excellent until he became the greatest judge of footballing flesh since Joe Harvey.
The turning point was the arrival of Brian 'Killer' Kilcline, a Viking Raider of a central defender who wore a thumping heart on his shield and galvanised everyone around him. Dan Burn would be Eddie Howe's equivalent today as the building bricks are put into place.
It must be said that in my opinion Kieran Trippier is better than Barry Venison and Warren Barton, both England internationals bought in, while Bruno Guimaraes is at least as good if not better than any 90s midfielder be it Paul Bracewell, David Batty or whoever. So the signs are encouraging. However Keegan, backed by Hall's financial clout and unerring ambition, went on to smash the club's transfer record time and again to make certain United only went in one direction.
Here in just a small period of time is how the Chronicle recorded arrival after arrival:
Warren Barton June 5, 1995 for a record £4m; Les Ferdinand June 7 breaking the record just two days later at £6m; David Ginola July 7, an absolute snip at £2.5m; Shaka Hislop August 9 £1.75m; Tino Asprilla February 7, 1996 at, yes you have guessed it, another record £7.5m.
United continued to splash the cash all the way up to a world record £15m spent bringing Alan Shearer home so Amanda Staveley and her compatriots are not alone in wielding the cheque book as a tool for improvement. However they will do well to match the signing of three centre-forwards of the calibre of Andy Cole, Ferdinand and Shearer. Equal them not better them.
Yes, a whopping £60m has been spent on Alexander Isak who still has an awful long way to go but time to do it while Chris Wood at £25m will forever walk in the long shadow of such an awesome trio. Remember Cole scored 40 goals in a single season for United, Ferdie was nicknamed Sir Les he was so awesome, and Big Al was simply The Legend.
Then there was Peter Beardsley, perhaps the most naturally gifted of them all. Kissed by the gods. What was he? A midfielder? Support striker? Creator of goals? Scorer of goals? He was all those things and more. The entertainer among entertainers.
You only get one of his type in a lifetime . . . though, no, perhaps not. United once had three - Beardo, Chris Waddle and Gazza. All local lads. But they gave all three away and were relegated. That of course is another story.
Of course the Entertainers' Achilles' heel is that they won nothing. I know it is hard to believe but it is true. While they twice finished within sight of the mountain top in runners-up position they never quite made it to the summit and failed to bring home the FA Cup or League Cup either.
That is where Howe's Hopeful Heroes can surpass KK's Superstars and kill any comparisons stone dead. I hope they do it. As quick as they like. I cannot wait. However let us not be hemmed in by sight of only the Entertainers. If the Saudis have unlimited wealth and burning desire then let them take a look over United's 130 years of existence.
Maybe those of us old enough to remember Wor Jackie's Wembley Wizards of the early 50s who won the FA Cup three times in five years think they are the bee's knees but the most successful Geordie side ever is buried in the mists of a long-off time.
The Edwardian Dandies at the beginning of the last century dominated English football. Literally. In an incredible six year period between 1905 and 1911 they won the championship three times (1905, 1907 and 1909), the FA Cup once (1910) and were finalists on a further four occasions (1905, 1906, 1908 and 1911).
To get near that silver lining would be awesome but then there is no point in aiming anywhere but sky high if there are no boundaries. That is for the long term of course not the medium term but throw in the added incentive of European football, not afforded a club in the distant past, and the prospects are limitless.
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