Ranking the 10 top goal scorers in Newcastle history

Newcastle United is one of the most traditionally followed and supported football clubs in England. Located in the North-West of the country in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the club was founded in 1881 and was originally called Stanley FC.

Over the years, several legendary footballers have represented this great institution, with the club seeing its greatest successes in the early and mid-1900s. They have won a total of four Division 1 (now Premier League) titles, six FA Cups, and four Second Division (now EFL Championship) titles.

Currently one of the top-half teams in the PL managed by Eddie Howe, Newcastle are slowly restoring the status they maintained for so long. However, having said that, let’s take a look at the top goal scorers in Newcastle history.

10. Pop Robson | 97 Goals

Bryan Stanley Robson, fondly known as Pop Robson by his teammates, was one of the best strikers of his time. He began his career with Newcastle United in 1962 and spent nine years with the club. Known for his strike partnership with Welshman Wyn Davies, the pair were fairly successful during their days playing together. He scored a total of 97 goals for the club and was just three shy of a century of goals before he was signed by West Ham United in 1971.

9. Neil Harris | 101 Goals

Neil Harris was born in 1894 and began his professional career in his native Scotland, playing for a plethora of clubs before eventually joining Newcastle in 1920. He went on to make 194 appearances for the Magpies, netting 101 goals in the process and was one of the most clinical players of that time. He helped his club with the FA Cup in 1924, scoring the first goal in the final against Aston Villa. He left for Notts County in 1925 as one of the top goal scorers in Newcastle history.

8. Bobby Mitchell | 113 Goals

Born in Glasgow in Scotland in 1924, Mitchell began his playing career with Third Lanark in 1942 and spent seven years with them before joining Newcastle in 1949. Over the next 12 years, the outside left (now left winger) made 410 appearances for the club, scoring 113 goals in the process. He experienced success with the club, winning three FA Cups in the 1950s, even scoring in the 1955 final and departed in 1961 as one of the top goal scorers in Newcastle history.

7. Tom McDonald | 113 Goals

Tom Henry McDonald was born in Inverness in Scotland and began his playing career with his local club, before a spell with Rangers, and eventually joining Newcastle United in 1921. He made a total of 366 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 113 goals in the process. With the club, he won the FA Cup in 1924 and also the First Division in 1926-27.

6. Peter Beardsley | 121 Goals

Born in Northumberland in England in 1961, Beardsley made a name for himself playing for Carlisle United between 1979-82, before eventually joining Newcastle United the following year in 1983. Able to play as a forward or midfielder, Beardsley made 326 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 121 goals in the process. He was named the club’s Player of the Year in 1985 and 1986 and departed as one of the top goal scorers in Newcastle history after two stints in 1983-87 and 1993-97.

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5. Malcolm Macdonald | 121 Goals

Nicknamed “Supermac” during his playing days, Macdonald was a strong and powerful forward who wreaked havoc in defenses whenever he played. Known for his time playing for Newcastle United (1971-76) and Arsenal for three years after that, he was one of the greatest strikers of the time. He made 227 appearances for the Magpies and scored 121 goals, departing for the Gunners as one of the top goal scorers in Newcastle history.

4. Hughie Gallacher | 143 Goals

The fourth and highest-ranked Scotsman on this list, Gallacher was born in 1903 and joined the Magpies in 1925. Predominantly a center-forward, Gallacher played in multiple forward roles later in his career. He made 174 appearances for the Magpies and scored 143 goals at a rate of 0.82 goals per game, making him one of the most prolific strikers of his time.

3. Len White | 153 Goals

White was born in Skellow in England in 1930 and began his playing career with Rotherham United in 1950, before joining Newcastle in 1953. He spent nine successful years with the club, winning the FA Cup in 1955 with them. Another center-forward, White made 270 appearances for the Magpies and scored an impressive 153 goals as well. He departed for Huddersfield Town in 1962 as one of the top goal scorers in Newcastle history.

2. Jackie Milburn | 201 Goals

Born in Northumberland, England in 1924, Milburn began his career with Newcastle United in 1943 as a teenager and went on to represent them for 14 years. During his tenure, he made 399 appearances for the Magpies and scored 201 goals – a number that was seen as insurmountable until recent times. He also won three FA Cups with the club and remained atop the list of top goal scorers in Newcastle history for a long time.

1. Alan Shearer | 206 Goals

Born in Newcastle in 1970, Shearer began his playing career with Southampton in 1988, before making a name for himself with Blackburn Rovers between 1992-96. He then joined the Magpies that year and became a legend at the club. With 405 appearances under his belt, Shearer scored 206 goals for the club, earning his spot atop the list of top scorers in Newcastle history. He was a two-time FA Cup runner-up with them and also finished third in the Ballon d’Or in 1996.

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