Passionate bias is such a marvellous thing that it only adds to the stimulus of discussion. If you are a Newcastle United fan, for example, it is terrific to weigh in with what you perceive as a statement that cannot be challenged.
Except that it can because, as often as not, we are actually dealing with opinion not something written in stone. It is merely a matter of how life is seen by each and every one of us in black and white.
Thus when I listed my Top Ten United Goals scored in my lifetime I knew it would be challenged with a ferocity which would spark fascinating discussion. And that is what matters. It's personal preference. What was particularly significant for me was my ultimate decision. What was the best of the best?
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I knew I was courting controversy when I boldly plumped for a goal not from one of United's No 9 legends like Alan Shearer, SuperMac and Wor Jackie, not the genius of Peter Beardsley or David Ginola, but from a central defender. Yet was I so outrageous? Apparently not. You too voted Philippe Albert top of the Goal Kings. Several fellow hacks have expressed their surprise at my decision but the Chronicle readership has declared its hand and its agreement.
What is more it was not a close race thing. Prince Philippe won in a canter. Of course there were reasons why some of my choices were relegated in stature by the public at large. For example I had SuperMac at No 2 and Wor Jackie No 3.
Milburn's 1951 FA Cup final classic was so long ago it is way beyond the living memory of so many Newcastle fans while SuperMac's shuddering strike against Leicester was not captured by live TV cameras and therefore is lost to time rather than available for perusal on YouTube. Had I chosen one of his three goals against Liverpool on his home debut or his two FA Cup semi-final strikes against Burnley he would have received many more votes but truthfully not one of them was better than Leicester. I was there to witness it and Malcolm agrees it was his best ever which is good enough for me.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE OF GIBBO'S CORNER HERE
Of course I understand why a local hero like Alan Shearer would receive a leg up. He was the ultimate finisher well loved. However while he scored a sensational number of goals few were truly mind blowing in their outrageousness because he was unique in his penalty area positioning and execution rather than extravagance. Yeah, Papiss Cisse's was something special (not a fluke as some 'neutrals' have insisted) while you could pick half a dozen from the little maestro Beardsley.
Hatem Ben Arfa? Always a fan favourite despite a career largely spent wasting unique, wonderful talent. Anyway, many, many thanks to fans for listening to the Gibbo's Corner podcast I do with Andrew Musgrove and taking part in our survey! Much appreciated. I hope it was as much fun for you as it was for me doing it.
Gibbo's greatest Newcastle United goals
- Philippe Albert v Man U October 1996 5-0.
- SuperMac v Leicester - August 1975 3-0.
- Jackie Milburn 1st goal, 1951 FA Cup Final v Blackpool 2-0.
- Alan Shearer v Everton 2002 2-1.
- Papiss Cisse's 2nd against Chelsea away 2012. 2-0.
- Peter Beardsley's chip v Brighton 1984. 3-1.
- David Ginola Ferencvaros UEFA Cup, 4-0.
- Hatem Ben Arfa Blackburn home FA Cup, January 2012. 2-1.
- Cheick Tiote v Arsenal. Feb 2012: 4-4
- Bob Moncur Fairs Cup final second leg in Budapest. June 1969. 3-2.
Podcast results
- Albert
- Shearer
- Cisse
- HBA
- Beardsley
- Ginola
- SuperMac
- Milburn
- Tiote
- Moncur
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