Why Newcastle need a No.9 fit to wear the shirt

By Simon Bird

Published 14:12 08/02/10

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Newcastle United is a club who have been defined by their No.9s. Jackie Milburn, Alan Shearer, Malcolm Macdonald, Andy Cole - all heroes, all with legendary status in the club’s history.

This season, the No.9 shirt has stayed on the peg. No symbolic figurehead to spearhead the team. No player conveyed special status merely by pulling on a shirt with a famous number.

Newcastle fans ask why not? This is an iconic shirt, and the subject of who should wear it is the subject of many a pub debate.

When Shearer retired from playing you couldn’t stop Magpie supporters debating the merits of Michael Owen moving from his favoured No.10, or which European superstar could fill his boots.

Oba Martins eventually inherited the honour, and it’s safe to say the black and white No.9 shirt hasn’t been retired because of his excellence.

Hughton’s decision not to hand out a No.9 this season was entirely appropriate. For a start, no-one deserved it. The honour has to be earned and the current crop of strikers have to prove themselves worthy.

Plus, if Newcastle get promoted, surely having the short vacant will be a small carrot (along with a huge wage packet) in luring in a top quality striker in the summer.

But most of all Hughton has managed this season with the emphasis on the collective. Individualism is out. The cult of the personality is out. It is one and all for the team.

Hughton says: “We won’t be without a No.9 for years.”

Let’s hope the next one can do what Martins didn’t, and become a legend worthy of the honour.

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