Tributes paid to South Shields-born former Newcastle United player and county cricketer

South Shields-born Malcolm Scott played alongside many of Newcastle United’s FA Cup winning legends of the 1950s before spells with Darlington and York City.

In an era where footballers could juggle sporting careers, he also played first-class cricket for Northamptonshire as a right-hand batsman and left-arm spinner.

Following his death last week at the age of 84, niece Debra Laxton said: “He always had a tale to tell and a friend of his said he should have gone on the after-dinner circuit because he was that entertaining.”

Malcolm, who lived in Marlborough Street, South Shields, and attended the town’s Mortimer Road County Secondary School, did indeed recount his sporting career and life as a whole in 2009 autobiography A Geordie All Rounder.

Originally an engineering apprentice at South Shields’s Readhead shipbuilding yard, the defender made his Newcastle United debut in 1956 against Manchester United’s famed Busby Babes and scored twice in a victory over Leeds United during his 25 games.

Cricketing highlights including taking 13 wickets for 94 runs against Sussex in 1964 and he later coached in South Africa before turning to England to work as a social worker with young offenders.

Although he settled in the West Midlands, marrying Northampton secretary Mary Page, he never forgot his roots and often returned to South Shields to catch up with friends.

Mrs Laxton, a university lecturer, who lives in Selsey, West Sussex, said: “He had a really happy childhood and loved the sea. He used to joke that he could not believe how he ended up living so far away from the sea.”

Childhood friend Joe Woodcock, 85, who played junior football with him as well as cricket for South Shields Cricket Club, said: “He was a lovely bloke. He would come up here to stay with us for the Great North Run because he was a proud Geordie who never forgot his roots.”

Mr Scott, who outlived his late wife, died on September 11 after battling dementia.

A private family funeral will take place at Wyre Forest Crematorium, Stourport-on-Severn, near Kidderminster, at a date to be confirmed.

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