This was Newcastle United right-back David Craig in action against Arsenal at their former stadium, Highbury, exactly 50 years ago.
Acknowledged as one of the Magpies' greatest ever number 2s, Ulster-born Craig was a long-standing regular in an exciting team featuring, at that time, the likes of Malcolm Macdonald, Jimmy Smith, Terry Hibbitt, John Tudor and Bobby Moncur. Indeed, it was Supermac and Jinky who scored the goals on January 27, 1973 that earned United a creditable 2-2 draw at the home of the Gunners. Come the end of the season, Arsenal would finish runners-up to First Division champions Liverpool, with Newcastle in ninth place but frustratingly only a couple of points off the UEFA Cup qualification places.
Born in Belfast in 1944 - David has over time become a naturalised Tynesider. "I never had any desire to leave Newcastle United. I loved the club and loved the area - and still do," he told the Chronicle a few years ago.
READ MORE: Tyneside in 1973: From 'glam rock' to a new signing at the Toon - in 10 photographs
An exemplary club servant, Craig spent 18 years on the Magpies’ books. Along with Frank Clark - his full-back partner on the other flank - he was one of the rocks in United’s defence for much of the 1960s into the ‘70s, making 434 appearances and scoring 12 goals.
The young Craig’s first footballing port of call was Scunthorpe where he was unable to settle. Joining the Magpies’ apprentice scheme, the 15-year-old found life on Tyneside much more to his liking.
And he quickly settled in with the help of experienced fellow Ulstermen Alf McMichael and Dick Keith, who both also happened to be full-backs. Nineteen year-old Craig made his first team bow in a League Cup third round tie at Bournemouth in November, 1963. Three days later he made is league debut at Swindon Town and - by February 1964 - he found himself the Toon’s regular right-back.
It was a position he would occupy with distinction for the next decade or so, despite the later rival claims of John Craggs and Irving Nattrass. Meanwhile, he won 25 full Northern Ireland caps during a time when he was up against another fine right-back, Arsenal’s Pat Rice.
While on international duty, David would rub shoulders with the great George Best. “He was a wonderful player and a lovely man,” recalled Craig - but back in the world of league football, perhaps surprisingly, it wasn’t Best who was the full-back’s most difficult matchday opponent. “Whereas George would be all over pitch, Liverpool’s Peter Thompson stuck to the left wing and he was very tricky.”
One of United’s Inter-Cities Fairs Cup heroes, David played in most of those classic European games, including both legs of the final against Ujpest Dozsa. Ironically, this most reliable of players was unlucky enough to miss both the 1974 FA Cup final and 1976 League Cup final through injury.
A one-club player, Craig kicked his last ball for United in a game against Arsenal at St James’ Park in November, 1977 - some 14 years after his debut. His testimonial game - against Sunderland - in 1975 had attracted more than 21,000 fans.
“There were plenty of high points for me during my playing career,” said Craig. “Joining the club at 15, actually pulling on the black and white shirt, winning the FA Youth Cup in 1962, promotion in 1965, and of course the Fairs Cup in 1969. The two disappointments would be missing the two 1970s cup finals.”
For those of us who remember Craig in action, he was equally comfortable defending and attacking. So what are his views on the best of the modern right-backs - the likes of Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and his modern-day counterpart at St James' Park, Kieran Trippier? “I think they are fantastic,” he said, “and in terms sheer of fitness and skill, better than we ever were.”
In the years after football, David worked as a newsagent and milkman - and in retirement as a support worker for people with disabilities on North Tyneside. A genuine Newcastle United great, David Craig will celebrate his 79th birthday on June 8 this year.
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