Join Newcastle United and live the rest of your life as a legend - Supermac message to new signings
As Newcastle United stall in the transfer market, club icon Malcolm Macdonald has a potent message to potential new signings.
Exactly half a century since leaving Newcastle United, a Londoner is ready to greet a herd of eager supporters. Do not let anyone tell you that this region is hostile to outsiders.
Alan Shearer is synonymous with the iconic No.9 jersey in the modern era. Jackie Milburn dominated the post-war period. But for fans of a certain age - my old man included - Malcolm Macdonald was the pin-up star who every child on Tyneside revered.
And there he was, 50 years on from his controversial transfer to Arsenal, still adored for his Toon heroics as he opened the Bay House View care home in Whitley Bay following a £12million refurb. Fast forward to the present and Newcastle - operating under PSR constraints - could learn a trick or two from Joe Harvey’s astute investment.
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“Joe Harvey was a very, very shrewd market dealer,” Macdonald tells me as he reflects on his £180,000 move in 1971. “He took that risk, of course. I was young (and) in the second division. He brought me into the first division and put me straight in the side.
“I absolutely relished it. The season couldn't start quickly enough. I got off to an exceptional start with my home debut, scoring a hat-trick against Liverpool. That created a bond (with the fans) that still lives to this day.”
That much is true. Macdonald weaponised the pressure of scoring goals in black-and-white stripes and, before long, was crowned “Supermac” by the club’s fervent supporters.
He assumed the No.9 mantle on arrival - with big boots to fill as Fairs Cup legend Wyn Davies soon departed. For Supermac, the weight of expectation was easily weaponised.
“I'd said when I first joined, my job is purely and simply to score goals,” Macdonald adds. “I didn't mind putting that kind of pressure on myself. I'm somebody who reacts really well to pressure.
“I never allowed any pressure to get on top of me. I was always sort of in control of it. A lot of players, if they have to score goals, they fall under that kind of pressure, whereas I thrived on it. I had the physical capabilities to see it out.
Macdonald fell in love with a region that he still calls home. I speak with him amid the backdrop of Newcastle failing to sign Victor Munoz. Liverpool hijacked the deal - pouring further fuel on the notion that the North East struggles to attract top talent.
Any potential signings have been given a passionate message from an all-time great. Become a legend at St James’ Park, and the ground you walk on will still be worshipped 50 years from now.
“The whole atmosphere, it's a hugely friendly place,” Macdonald finishes when asked to provide words of wisdom to potential summer signings. “The most important thing here in Newcastle is the football team.
“For heaven’s sake, it's 50-odd years since I've played for Newcastle, but the stories just go down the generations! All generations know me and appreciate me. It's a real one-off city in the way that it celebrates people who play for the club.
“The club has changed so much since I was playing. It's a hugely professional outfit, and it's got the best atmosphere. You couldn't wish for more than the atmosphere that's created at St James' Park.”
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