The 11 Best Newcastle United Right-Backs of All-Time
- Think Football Ideas
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
The top Newcastle right-backs have stood out like lighthouses in the Tyneside mist.
The black and white shirt. In the eyes of a Newcastle United fan, it isn’t just a football kit—it’s a suit of armour, a badge of loyalty, a symbol of unrelenting hope.
And while the roar of the Tyneside faithful and the shifting winds of St James' Park set the scene, it's the right-backs—those tireless warriors patrolling the flanks—who've quietly played their part in navigating the ever-changing tides of Newcastle United’s history. These players weathered the storms and soared with the Magpies.
Below Are The Best 11 Newcastle United Right-backs of All-time
11. Danny Simpson (2010–2013)
Before lifting the Premier League trophy in one of football’s greatest underdog stories with Leicester City, Danny Simpson carved out a solid, dependable chapter at Newcastle United. Signed permanently from Manchester United, he quickly became a staple down the right flank.
He was a key figure in the Magpies’ Championship-winning side of 2009–10, racking up 138 appearances in black and white, scoring twice and playing his part in the club’s remarkable 5th-place Premier League finish in 2011/12 under Alan Pardew's guidance. Whether it was a crunching tackle or a lung-busting run to recover possession, Simpson gave everything for the shirt.
10. John Anderson (1982–1992)
John Anderson arrived at Newcastle United from Preston North End in 1982 on a free transfer—a quiet signing that turned into a decade of dependable service. He was everything you want in a right-back: reliable, tough, and always up for the fight.
Ten years, over 330 league games, and one monumental promotion in the 1983/84 campaign in which Newcastle scored 85 goals and he was there for all of it. Quiet, consistent, and fiercely dependable, Anderson was the kind of player who didn’t need headlines to be heroic.
9. Steve Watson (1990–1998)
Steve Watson lived and breathed Newcastle United. He was a local lad with magic in his boots and the fire of North Shields in his heart. Born just down the road, his talent was nurtured at Wallsend Boys Club and Burnside College—but it nearly slipped through the cracks. Released at 15, re-signed a few months later, and called back while kicking about with his mates, truly Watson's rise was anything but smooth.
On 10 November 1990, at just 16 years and 233 days, he made his debut at Molineux—unaware he was becoming Newcastle’s youngest-ever player. Watson was a manager’s dream: tough, tireless, and terrifyingly versatile.
He wore every shirt from 2 to 11, filled in wherever needed, and still managed to shine. His booming long throws and bursting runs made him a pillar of Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’. For Geordies, he was living proof that dreams could start on Tyneside and end at St James’ Park.
8. Barry Venison (1992–1995)
Yes, he came from Sunderland. Yes, he raised a few eyebrows. But Barry Venison quickly won over the Toon Army with sheer quality, grit, and that unmistakable mullet. He was a cornerstone of the 1992/93 side that burst out of the gates with 11 straight league wins, Venison helped drive Newcastle’s charge back to the Premier League.
His debut in a 3–2 thriller over Southend set the tone for what would be a whirlwind season. Brought in by Kevin Keegan, he brought not just experience from Liverpool, but leadership and bite.
He even chipped in with a memorable 20-yard screamer against Aston Villa—his only goal for the club, and one he still calls the best of his career. Often shifted into midfield to plug gaps, Venison was versatile, vocal, and vital at St. James' Park.
7. Irving Nattrass (1970–1979)
Joe Harvey once called him “my Paul Madeley,” comparing him to the great Tottenham utility man. That tells you everything. Cool under pressure, classy on the ball, and nicknamed the "Rolls-Royce" of right-backs, Nattrass oozed elegance. Injuries may have curtailed his career, but in his prime, few were better. His Player of the Year award in 1978 was richly deserved.
6. Bobby Cowell (1943–1955)
They don’t make 'em like Bobby Cowell anymore. Born in Trimdon Grange and toughened up in the mines before swapping boots and pit for black and white stripes, Cowell was as solid as they come. A one-club man, he arrived during the chaos of wartime football and stuck around to help usher in one of Newcastle’s most glorious eras.
Three FA Cups (1951, 1952, 1955), zero goals—but ask any old-school fan, and they’ll tell you: his quiet brilliance at right-back was the rock those triumphs were built on. Loyal, consistent, unshakable—Cowell was granite in human form.
5. Kieran Trippier (2022–Present)
Now, here’s a modern-day hero. When Kieran Trippier joined from Atlético Madrid in 2022, Newcastle were teetering on the edge of relegation. Fast forward just one season, and they were back in the Champions League, thanks to his leadership, precise dead-ball deliveries, and solid defensive qualities.
But Trippier's impact didn’t stop there. In March 2025, he captained Newcastle to their first major domestic trophy in 70 years, lifting the Carabao Cup after a thrilling 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley. This triumph marked a new era for the club and boosted their belief, giving the Toon Army a taste of glory after decades of frustration.
4. Warren Barton (1995–2002)
When Newcastle United paid £4 million for Warren Barton in 1995, he became the most expensive defender in English football. A perfect fit for Kevin Keegan’s "Entertainers," Barton’s elegance on the ball and tireless work rate were key to the side’s attacking style.
His partnership with John Beresford down the right flank was vital, with Barton constantly overlapping and creating chances. Although the 1995/96 title slipped away, Barton remains one of the club's most important Premier League-era players.
3. Bill McCracken (1904–1924)
McCracken didn’t just play football—he changed the rules. His clever manipulation of the offside law led to a rule rewrite in 1925. A three-time Football League champion during Newcastle’s golden years, his 432 appearances and tactical intelligence made him one of the game’s first true thinkers. Not bad for a man who began his career when boots were made of cowhide and pitches were mudbaths.
2. Aaron Hughes (1997–2005)
Mr. Consistency. Aaron Hughes often flew under the radar, but his dependability across multiple positions (right-back, centre-back, even left-back) was invaluable. He was calm under pressure, rarely caught out, and always effective.
Hughes made his debut at just 18 years old in a Champions League match at the Nou Camp against Barcelona, marking the start of a career that spanned 278 appearances for the club.
He was part of Sir Bobby Robson’s formidable early-2000s sides and played in two Champions League campaigns, including THAT iconic 3-2 win at Feyenoord in 2002. An unsung hero, but one Newcastle could always count on.
1. David Craig (1962–1978)
And at the top? The ever-present. David Craig, the man who owned the right flank for 16 years. With 433 appearances, he’s 5th on the club’s all-time list and was the ultimate overlapping full-back before it was trendy.
His stamina, discipline, and ability to balance defence with attack made him a vital squad figure for over a decade. He also won the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, sealing his place as a true Newcastle legend and the Toon's best right-back of all-time.
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