01/06 - Star Dutch teenager Patrick Kluivert reveals he would be interested in joining Liverpool, Manchester United or Newcastle.

05/06 - Some fans queue for 48 hours to be the first to get their hands on the new blue away kit which went on sale at midnight at the club shop.

20/06 Leeds midfielder Gary Speed is set to move to Everton despite last ditch efforts by Keegan to hijack the deal.

23/06 - Newcastle are linked with a move for Bulgarian superstar striker Hristo Stoichkov although any deal is likely to be dependent upon Arsenal agreeing to sign Les Ferdinand who is thought to be open to a return to London.

30/07 - Reports confirm that Alan Shearer is on his way to Tyneside for a world record fee of £15 million.

30/07 - Fr: Thailand 1 Newcastle 2 - Lee and Asprilla score as United open their Far East tour with a victory in Bangkok.

01/08 - Fr: Singapore League XI 0 Newcastle 5 - Ginola and Kitson both score twice and Ferdinand is also on target in an easy victory.

04/08 - Fr: Gamba Osaka 3 Newcastle 1 - Japan is the third country in six days and a clearly fatigued Magpies suffer their first defeat. Ferdinand is the scorer.

07/08 - Blackburn Rovers fail in a bid for Robbie Elliott.

09/08 - Fr: Lincoln City 1 Newcastle 2 - Alan Shearer scores from the penalty spot in his first appearance in a black and white shirt. Albert wraps up a comfortable victory.

11/08 - CS: A jaded Newcastle are thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in the FA Charity Shield at Wembley. Keegan keeps his players in the dressing room for an hour after the match.

12/08 - Robbie Elliott agrees terms with Blackburn.

13/08 - Fr: Anderlecht 1 Newcastle 2 - A much improved performance with Asprilla and Ginola netting.

16/08 - Blackburn back-out of a deal for Robbie Elliott and he signs a new two-year contract.

17/08 - Pr: Everton 2 Newcastle 0 - Goals from Duncan Ferguson and Gary Speed get the Premiership season off to a bad start.

Arsenal are rumoured to have made a bid for David Ginola.

21/08 - Newcastle 2 Wimbledon 0 - David Batty scores after only three minutes when he catches keeper Neil Sullivan off his line with a forty-yard shot. Shearer scores his first competitive goal for the Magpies with a trademark free-kick.

22/08 - New England manager Glenn Hoddle calls up Batty, Shearer, Ferdinand and Howey for the World Cup qualifying match against Moldova.

24/08 - Newcastle 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2 - Although Shearer puts United ahead early on from the spot, Wednesday, hit back to claim all three points.

28/08 - Bookmakers William Hill slash the odds on Kevin Keegan not being manager at St James' Park by the end of the season.

30/08 - Hoddle names Shearer as his captain.

31/08 - The Magpies play Hearts in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Tynecastle.

01/09 - The News of the World claims that Liverpool manager Roy Evans has offered Kevin Keegan £1.5million plus Neil Ruddock for Les Ferdinand. They further state that Keegan said he would only consider allowing Ferdinand to leave in a swap for Stan Collymore.

02/09 - It is reported that Keegan has refused to sell Ferdinand to Liverpool. He is believed to be interested in signing central-defender Neil Ruddock, who put in a transfer request last week, from the Merseysiders.

02/09 - Asprilla scores a stunning hat-trick for Colombia in a 4-1 victory over Chile in their World Cup qualifier.

03/09 - Midfielder Chris Holland is set to join Birmingham City on a month's loan. Although he is currently an automatic choice for the England Under 21 side he did not start a Premiership game for Newcastle last season. Holland joined from Preston for £100,000 in January 1994 and is now almost completely recovered from having acid thrown in his eye in a nightclub fifteen months ago.

03/09 - Newcastle have sold out their 8,000 tickets for tomorrow's derby showing at the Newcastle Arena.

04/09 - Pr: Sunderland 1 Newcastle 2 - Beardsley makes his first start, replacing Asprilla who only got back a couple of days ago after his international exertions. There are, allegedly, no United fans at Roker Park due to the controversial away supporters ban. Martin Scott gives Sunderland the lead with a first-half penalty, but after the break a much better performance sees a typical Ferdinand header and a much-less common Beardsley one turn the tables.

07/09 - Pr: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 - Ferdinand scores twice as United come from behind again at White Hart Lane.

10/09 - UC R1 L1: Newcastle 4 Halmstads 0 - Against the Swedish part-timers Keegan plays three at the back with four and occasionally five up front. The bold move pays dividends with Ginola setting up the first three goals for Ferdinand, Asprilla and Albert before Beardsley scores a superb fourth.

14/09 - PR: Newcastle 2 Blackburn 1 - A below-par performance in which Newcastle have to grind out a victory over struggling Blackburn. Ferdinand and Shearer get the goals and Keegan suggests that: "If we hadn't had those two up front today we would have lost. The partnership is working well and it will get better."

United back the new feeder club system which could change the face of English football.

17/09 - Stuart Elliott and David Burt go to Scunthorpe United on trial as the break-up of the club's reserve side continues. Chris Holland ( Birmingham) and Darren Huckerby (Millwall) have already been loaned out and Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Jimmy Crawford is also available. United are only playing friendly matches at reserve level this season and obviously those players not in serious contention for a first team place have been left kicking their heels.

24/09 - UC R1 L2: Halmstads 2 Newcastle 1 - Although Ferdinand’s stunning drive puts the Magpies 5-0 ahead on aggregate the part-timers score two late goals to win the second-leg. Keegan is not impressed: "It was a poor performance, there's no getting away from that. I was disappointed with six or seven performances in the team”.

26/09 - Lee, Batty, Ferdinand and Shearer are all called-up for England for the match against Poland, but Steve Howey misses out this time.

30/09 - Pr: Newcastle 4 Aston Villa 3 - Despite last season’s disappointments this game certainly demonstrates that Keegan is not about to dispense with his attacking philosophy. Dwight Yorke puts the visitors ahead after only three minutes only for Ferdinand to equalise almost immediately. Then Les makes it eight goals in six games before Shearer adds a third. With Mark Draper also getting himself sent-off just before the break the game looks done and dusted. But ten-man Villa take the game to United with Yorke completing his hat-trick either side of a Howey header. After five successive Premiership wins Newcastle move into second place.

03/10 - Blackburn chairman Robert Coar shoots down reports linking United with goalkeeper Tim Flowers. "We have had absolutely no contact with Newcastle United and in any case there is no way Tim Flowers is going to leave Rovers”.

10/10 - Pavel Srnicek keeps his fourth clean sheet for the Czech Republic with a brilliant performance against Spain. Asprilla scores for Colombia again against Ecuador.

12/10 - Pr: Derby 0 Newcastle 1 - The Magpies take over at the top after a goal from Shearer, fourteen minutes from time, earns a hard-fought victory over Derby. Keegan days: "The important thing is that we shaded it. Mind you, I don't think people will call us 'The Entertainers' any more. We're 'The Grinders' now."

15/10 - UC R2 L1: Ferencvaros 3 Newcastle 2 - A thrilling encounter in Budapest. The Hungarians make a great start and score twice in the first sixteen minutes. But great strikes from Ferdinand and Shearer level the score by half-time. A rare mistake from Beardsley allows Lisztes to score his second goal and the referee controversially disallows a Shearer effort for offside towards the end. Keegan admits that he stormed into the referee's room after the game to complain about the decision.

19/10 - Specialists advise Steve Howey to have an operation on his calf which will keep him out for several weeks.

23/10 - CCC R3: Newcastle 1 Oldham 0 - A much altered line-up makes hard work of defeating Oldham and United need a disputed penalty (for an alleged hand ball) from Beardsley.

24/10 Alan Shearer will be out for up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to cure a nagging groin problem. He has been playing with a slight groin strain all season, but the injury flared up in Sunday's 5-0 win over Manchester United.

25/10 - Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson joins Keegan's coaching staff, becoming the first full-time specialist defensive coach in the Premiership. Lawrenson is delighted. "I feel like a kid again. There's only a handful of jobs I would take back in football and obviously Newcastle is one of them”.

25/10 - Newcastle make a six figure bid for Torquay United's Rodney Jack and it is being considered.

26/10 - Pr: Leicester 2 Newcastle 0 - Despite dominating most of the game United cannot find a way past the outstanding Kasey Keller who denies Les Ferdinand a hat-trick with three stunning saves. Keegan fails to attend the post-match press conference.

29/10 - UC R2 L2: Newcastle 4 Ferencvaros 0 (agg 6-3) - A superb performance with Keegan once again choosing an attacking formation led by the flamboyant duo of Ginola and Asprilla. After Beardsley misses from the spot Asprilla notches opportunist goals in the 42nd and 58th minutes and Ginola scores a third with a sublime goal. Ferdinand taps in a fourth just before the end. Impressed Ferencvaros coach Zoltan Varga states: "Newcastle have so many great players that I'm convinced they will win the UEFA Cup." Keegan hails it as "our best performance yet", one he considered even better than the five-goal thrashing of Manchester United because "we didn't dominate as much against them, didn't play such great football".

02/11 - England U21 international midfielder Chris Holland moves to St Andrews for a £600,000 fee.

03/11 - Pr: Newcastle 3 Middlesbrough 1 - Peter Beardsley, playing his 700th game overall, is the inspiration and scores the first two United goals. The first is from the spot which he celebrates with his son Drew who is the ballboy behind the goal. The second is a typical skip through the defence followed by a cool finish. Lee makes it 3-0 with a deflected shot before Beck scores a consolation just before time.

03/11 - Keegan confirms that Lee Clark has officially requested a transfer because of his lack of opportunities. Both Aston Villa and Leeds are credited with an interest.

07/11 - Coventry City take Darren Huckerby on a two month trial however the striker makes it clear he would love to stay on Tyneside. "Newcastle are one of the best clubs in the world. My main aim will be to play in the first team there if I could get the chance. But at the same time I have to consider my own future and if it didn't look like I was going to make it with Newcastle and the gaffer was willing to accept a deal then I would have to think about moving”.

10/11 - England action for Newcastle players with Batty giving a five-star performance against Georgia in Tbilisi.

11/11 - Both Pavel Srnicek and Tino Asprilla on international duty.

12/11 - There are reports that Barcelona want to sign Ginola.

13/11 - Barcelona admit they were interested in signing Ginola in the summer, but were put off by the size of the fee requested. However they state they are no longer interested in signing the Frenchman.

13/11 - Newcastle supporters are the most fanatical and optimistic in the Premier League according to a report published today based on a 1995-96 FA Premier League survey carried out by the League in conjunction with the Sir Norman Chester centre for football research. The report states that 98 per cent of Newcastle fans expect success in the next five years. They are also the fans most in favour of a European Super League.

16/11 - Pr: Newcastle 1 West Ham 1 - Ferdinand fractures a cheekbone as Newcastle struggle after the Hammers take an early lead. They finally equalise eight minutes from time with Beardsley’s 200th League goal; a hard, low drive. Ferdinand could be out for up to six weeks.

17/11 - Metz 'keeper Thomas Kokkins arrives for a trial on Tyneside.

19/11 - UC R3 L1: Metz 1 Newcastle 1 - Asprilla leads United's attack in the absence of Shearer and Ferdinand and he does an effective job as a lone front man in a defensive performance. Asprilla wins the penalty that allows Beardsley to open the scoring. But Srnicek is beaten to the punch by Traore who heads into an empty net to level the tie. Beresford pulls a calf muscle.

23/11 - Chelsea 1 Newcastle 1 - Alan Shearer returns after a six week lay-off and equalises Vialli's opener. Batty is sent off at the start of the second half following a clash with Mark Hughes.

24/11 - Manchester City are linked with Lee Clark.

25/11 - United are installed as favourites for the Premiership title ahead of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.

27/11 - CCC R4: Middlesbrough 3 Newcastle 1 - Brazilians Juninho and Emerson inspire the home side to victory, but after Shearer equalised Whyte’s opener United had chances to win. They did not take them and Boro wrapped up the victory with two breakaways.

28/11 - Nottingham Forest are reported to have bid for Lee Clark.

30/11 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Arsenal 2 - A fifth game without a win as Newcastle fail to capitalise on Tony Adams’ sending off after only 22 minutes. Ian Wright and Shearer had both scored by then and Wright notches again just before the hour for the superbly resolute Gunners. Keegan is not happy. "It won't take many more performances like that before I start to change personnel. We were awful”.

01/12 - The bookmakers now rate Liverpool and not United as the likely League Champions.

04/12 - Former Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti replaces John Burridge as United's goalkeeping coach. He also works for Leicester, Queen's Park Rangers, Watford and Wolves and will work with Pavel Srnicek and Shaka Hislop for two days a week.

05/12 - United are linked with Tottenham goalkeeper lan Walker.

Icelandic youngster Bjarni Gudjonsson (18) to arrives on trial.

09/12 - Pr: Nottingham Forest 0 Newcastle 0 - Although Ferdinand returns, out-of form Newcastle play out their first goalless draw in 74 matches at the City Ground. The Magpies have to battle for a point and are lucky to survive after bottom-of-the-table Forest miss a number of clear chances in the final period of the game.

15/12 - Philippe Albert, recalled for Belgium, takes part in a defeat at the hands of Holland.

17/12 - Pr: Coventry City 2 Newcastle 1 - United fail to win for the sixth League game in a row as they suffer a shock defeat at Highfield Road against the bottom-placed Sky Blues. To make matters worse former player Darren Huckerby scores one and sets up their second. Shearer pulls one back, but it is a deserved win for the home side.

19/12 - NEWCASTLE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE - United unveil plans for a new stadium and a stock market flotation. St James’ has a capacity of only 36,610 and the club want to build a new stadium which will hold 55,000 with a design which would allow this to be increased to 70,000 by filling in the corners. This will both increase revenue and allow more supporters to watch the games. "We're very conscious that the kids can't get in," Hall says. "The next generation can't get into the stadium. We've been too successful." The state-of-the-art stadium will be built within yards of St James' Park and cost £65million. First, though, the club need to obtain permission from the Council with the plans to be submitted in January. There will inevitably be fierce local opposition from residents concerned over the use of parkland. Sir John refuses to discuss an alternative proposal to re-locate to Gateshead, claiming that the Castle Leazes Moor site is the only one available in the city. The stadium would feature three-tier stands and a sunken pitch with uninterrupted views of the playing area. They also plan to convert St James' Park into an indoor multi-purpose sports arena.

19/12 - WE MUST WIN SOMETHING SOON HALL - John Hall believes it is imperative that the Magpies win something soon if they want to be accepted as part of a European League. "There has been a dramatic transformation in football, but I think the changes we have seen are nothing to what will happen in the future. I wonder if the FA can keep up with the changes that are coming. Out of them will come the European League. Consortia will bid for the rights of a super league and UEFA will be powerless. The money coming into the sport is massive and we can't stand still. If you live in the past, you die in the past."

23/12 - Pr: Newcastle 1 Liverpool 1 - An entertaining and closely-fought draw against the League leaders in which Shearer gives United the lead and Fowler equalises. United therefore remain seven points behind the Merseysiders, albeit with a game in hand. The match is beamed to a staggering 70 million people in around 100 countries. Ginola and Gillespie both pick up injuries.

24/12 - Alan Shearer finishes third in the European Footballer of the Year Award behind Germany's Matthias Sammer and Barcelona's Brazilian Ronaldo.

26/12 - Blackburn Rovers 1 Newcastle 0 - United are devoid of attacking ideas and Kevin Gallacher nets the only goal with an overhead kick. It is a hard-fought encounter in which seven players are booked. "I'm not sure we deserved to win, but I don't think we deserved to lose either," says Keegan, in a very short and uncomfortable post-match press conference.

27/12 - Speculation is rife that Kevin Keegan tried to resign after the match at Ewood Park.

28/12 - Pr: Newcastle 7 Tottenham 1 - Newcastle get back to winning ways with an emphatic display. Goals from Shearer and Ferdinand give Newcastle a 2-0 interval advantage. The second 45 minutes became a rout as Newcastle's attacking flair rips open the Londoners. Lee, Shearer and Ferdinand all score twice and Albert gets the other. McDermott stands in at the post-match press conference with Keegan having had to rush home to be with his flu-stricken wife.

30/12 - Kevin Keegan is missing from training as he is still looking after his wife. Meanwhile, it is reported that he is one of a number of high-profile managers that have been approached by Nigeria to become their new national coach.

01/01 - Pr: Newcastle 3 Leeds 0 - Although Shearer volleys United ahead with only four minutes on the clock the game is in the balance until the last thirteen minutes when Shearer grabs his second and Ferdinand adds a third. Leeds manager George Graham hails the scorers as: "the two best strikers in the country". Newcastle climb to fourth, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

02/01 - Man City are still scouting Lee Clark and Spurs are linked with Warren Barton.

05/01 - A Sunday newspaper story claims that Keegan offered to resign the day after the Magpies' Boxing Day defeat at Blackburn allegedly telling chairman Sir John Hall that he "had taken the club as far as it could go" and wanted out. They also claim he had to be talked out of his decision by Sir John's son Douglas and fellow director Freddie Shepherd.

05/01 - FA R3: Charlton 1 Newcastle 1 - A disappointing performance against the Division 1 side in which United are guilty of squandering a number of chances. Robert Lee scores against his old club after 33 minutes, but Shaka Hislop allows a thirty-yarder from Kinsella to sneak past him 12 minutes from time. When a journalist asks Keegan for a reaction to the resignation story in the post match press conference, he abruptly walks out of the press room pausing only to look over his shoulder and say: "You know the guy who wrote it."

06/01 - United are linked with Manchester City midfielder Georgiou Kinkladze.

07/01 - Speculation mounts over the future of manager Kevin Keegan as Newcastle United prepare to go public on the Stock Exchange.

09/01 - Terry McDermott and coach Arthur Cox have been put in temporary control of first team affairs. McDermott was persuaded by Keegan not to resign as well and says: "He will never be forgotten. I am stunned - probably shocked is the right word - but understand his reasons for wanting to leave. I have known about this since Monday evening, but am still in a state of shock. What Kevin has done for this club and the people on Tyneside will never be forgotten, and I would like to put on record my thanks to him for the last five years."

09/01 - Barcelona's Bobby Robson is believed to be the man United want as Keegan’s successor. However, former Liverpool and Blackburn boss Kenny Dalglish emerges as the bookie's favourite. Brian Little and Johan Cruyff, who have also been linked with the post, rule themselves out. Aston Villa boss Little says: "I'm flattered by the speculation and I have tremendous affection for the club. I grew up supporting them but I'm staying at Villa. I have no intention of leaving and I'm ruling myself out of the Newcastle situation straight away." Cruyff was sacked from Barcelona last year, but the Dutchman's agent Gaume Roures states that Cruyff is: “taking a complete break this season. He will not be training any team”.

09/11 - With no real reason provided for his shock resignation, rumours abound. John Hall refutes claims of a fall-out with Keegan arguing that: “No manager and chairman had a better rapport than Kevin and I”. Hall refuses to comment on the various theories which have emerged about the reason for Keegan leaving the club now rather than at the end of the season. The Journal claim Keegan quit Newcastle because a move to sign Italian ace Guiseppe Signori from Lazio was blocked and that he was told he would have to sell before he could buy again. Additionally, The Times reports that Hall is likely to stand down soon to concentrate on his other sporting interests.

09/01 - Newcastle Breweries dismiss fears they will end their £1million-a-season sponsorship deal. Commercial director Jim Merrington says: "Kevin Keegan's departure doesn't change anything although we are very sad to see him go. In many ways he was a dream for sponsors. He was an extremely well-organised manager and his attitude to the sponsors' needs was tremendous. We are closely connected to the club and they are to us. We were involved in him (Kevin) coming as a player and as a manager."

09/01 - London-based insurers Goodfellow Rebecca Ingrams Pearson (GRIP), who also offer cover against immaculate conception and abduction by aliens, are giving Newcastle fans the chance to take out cover for post-traumatic stress following Kevin Keegan's resignation as Magpies manager.

10/01 - Freddie Shepherd, Douglas Hall and Freddie Fletcher meet Bobby Robson at his home in Sitges, but he turns down their offer of a five-year contract. Robson says : "I have a two year contract which I signed last August and I'm proud and privileged to be with a phenomenal club. Newcastle is also a phenomenal club and I'm flattered they have shown an interest in me but you can only be at one place at one time." It is thought that Newcastle may now turn to John Toshack. Although he is currently in charge of Deportivo La Coruna, his contract expires at the end of June and he says he wants to leave. He refuses to be drawn on reports linking him with St James' Park. Kenny Dalglish also makes no comment.

11/01 - Bobby Robson tells BBC Grandstand that, although he has faced some criticism in Spain, he wants to honour his contract, "It's just come at the wrong time in a way. It's sod's law." However it is reported that United have not given up hope and it is believed that Newcastle chairman Sir John Hall has flown in by private plane from his Marbella retreat to oversee continuing negotiations.

11/01 - Pr: Aston Villa 2 Newcastle 2 -The Magpies storm into a 2-0 lead with goals from Shearer and Clark but Wright and Milosevic reply and Hislop stops a penalty from Yorke to save United from total collapse.

13/01 - United are reported to have cooled their interest in Toshack leaving Robson and Dalglish as the only candidates. It is reported that John Hall is continuing talks with Robson in Spain whilst, back home, Fletcher, Shepherd and Douglas Hall meet with Dalglish. If Robson joins, the club plan to appoint Beardsley as his assistant, however Robson has indicated that he would like to take his assistant Jose Mourinho with him should he leave Spain.

13/01 - Pavel Srnicek has put in a written transfer request after being dropped for the fifth time in his Newcastle career. "Everybody knows what I think of the fans and this area, and the same goes for my family too, so this is a very sad day for me. But at this stage of my career I need to be playing first-team football and I've come to the conclusion that it's time for me to make a move and look for a new team.”

15/01 - writing in the Times, Bobby Robson says he rejected the offer after being backed by Barcelona president Josep Lluis Nunez. "The last few days have been a tormented time for me. In other circumstances I would have been the first person on the plane to Newcastle....but I have a contract with Barcelona and my honour would not allow me to leave without the sanction of the club president. He wanted me to fulfil my two-year contract and there was never any thought from him that I might want to get out of it. He was surprised the situation had got that far. If the club had given me permission to leave, if Mr Nunez had given me his sanction, it would have been a different matter. But he did not, so there was no choice. I can tell you one thing, though: Kenny Dalglish is a lucky guy."

15 /01 - FA R3r: Newcastle 2 Charlton 1 - Dalglish is introduced to the crowd before the start with caretaker manager Terry McDermott leading him onto the pitch to a standing ovation. His reign gets off to a winning start, but United give a nervy performance and require extra-time at a foggy Gallowgate to defeat their resolute opponents. Lee Clark lobs the Magpies in front, but Athletic equalise from a stunning Mark Robson free-kick. An equally stunning effort from Shearer settles the game.

17/01 - Dalglish, known for a more pragmatic playing style than Keegan, states that he is keeping an open mind on future tactics. "You can only ask the players to play in a way that suits them. There won't be anything ripped up and thrown away on the scrapheap. Whatever we do it will be for the benefit of Newcastle. The players may have their own ideas on what they want to do and what they want to achieve and we'll play the way these players want to play and are happy to play. I didn't come here with any preconceived ideas. Everybody starts with a clean sheet and no one will be asked to do anything I don't think they're capable of.”

18/01 - Pr: Southampton 2 Newcastle 2 - For the second League game in a row United let slip a 2-0 advantage. Ferdinand scores early on and Clark makes it 2-0 eight minutes from time. But five minutes later Hislop, who had made three excellent saves, drops a cross allowing Maddison to net and in the dying seconds Le Tissier hits a thunderbolt to equalise for the struggling Saints.

19/01 - Alan Shearer is, unsurprisingly, voted North East Sports Personality of the Year.

20/01 - The Magpies sign centre-back Raul Oliveira on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. The Portuguese Under-21 international will be given until the end of the season to prove that he has a long-term future with the Magpies. But Raul's club Farence have threatened to hold on to the player's registration form which will prevent him from playing for United.

20/01 - Shearer is named third in the FIFA World Player of the Year behind Brazilian midfielder Ronaldo of Barcelona and George Weah of AC Milan.

21/01 - Paul Kitson turns down a £2 million move to Bolton Wanderers.

23/01 - QPR reported to have bid £2.5 million for Lee Clark. Swedish central defender Olof Mellborg arrives on trial with the view to joining for £1m. Both he and Oliveira were spotted by Dalglish when he was working for Glasgow Rangers.

25/01 - West Ham bid £2.3m bid for Paul Kitson.

26/01 - FA R4: Newcastle 1 Nottingham Forest 2 - The Magpies are guilty of missing numerous chances as they crash out of the Cup against bottom-of-the-table Forest. Ferdinand gives United the lead, but Ian Woan, who hasn’t scored since breaking United’s hearts at the end of last season, scores a brace. "We've thrown it away and it's disappointing that we've done that after getting ourselves in front but you can't legislate for two ricochets and a wonder goal," says Dalglish.

27/01 - Although Pavel Srnicek and Lee Clark are on the transfer list and Paul Kitson is being linked to West Ham, Dalglish is not a keen seller: "We wouldn't by choice have anyone leaving the club”.

29/01 - Pr: Newcastle 4 Everton 1 - Gary Speed’s free-kick gives Everton the lead in the second minute and Newcastle struggle badly. Although there is improvement after the break it is the introduction of the returning Asprilla after 57 minutes which swings the game Newcastle's way. United score four goals in the last sixteen minutes through Ferdinand, Lee, Shearer and Elliot. Kenny Dalglish said: "Tino was involved in two of the goals and it is to his credit that he looked so sharp because that's his first game since Metz. When he gets the ball at his feet he is a threat to anyone. The pace he showed to win the penalty was unbelievable."

30/01 - Robert Lee gets a recall to the England side and Paul Brayson goes to Swansea City on loan.

02/02 - Newcastle 4 Leicester 3 - Another four goals and another late show from The Magpies as Shearer bags his first hat-trick for the club. Robbie Elliot scores the only goal in the first-half, but Leicester hit back to lead 3-1. In the last game it was Asprilla’s introduction that sparked the comeback,this time it is Ginola. Shearer scores three goals in the last 22 minutes with the winner coming just before the final whistle.

03/02 - David Ginola has made only two starts in five matches under new boss Kenny Dalglish and it is rumoured that he is unsettled. This is fuelled by an interview in French newspaper l'Equipe where he is quoted as saying: "As far as transfers are concerned, nothing is definite until the forms are signed. But I'm disappointed when I see Paris' results and I've not forgotten the club where I had some magic times."

06/02 - Keegan gives his first interview since his resignation, to The Sun. Unpredictably he reveals that Newcastle’s 7-1 victory over Tottenham proved to be a turning point. "It was the expression on the face of (Tottenham manager) Gerry Francis, a man I like and respect a great deal. The elation of winning suddenly meant nothing when I looked at him and thought, 'Oh no, how must he be feeling inside?' I wanted to go up and give him a cuddle. I went straight home. And I knew that was it...that when you feel like that you have to get out. I must stress this was not the sole reason for me quitting Newcastle. But what that day did was confirm the feeling that had been growing inside me for some time. I discovered in five years with Newcastle that the elation of winning is never as great as the disappointment of losing.Was I shoved? I don't want to go into details about my resignation but no-one has ever pushed me anywhere I didn't want to go. People will read into that what they wish. There will be a million and more interpretations and I can do nothing about that. But allow me make one thing absolutely clear here and now: I have no bitterness towards anything or anyone at St James'. There were no drastic issue, no backstage bust-up that forced the situation. It was time to look ahead."

09/02 - Juventus deny reports in Italian newspapers that Newcastle have made a £10m bid for striker Alessandro Del Piero and a spokesman says: "He's staying here." Juventus are keen on Newcastle's Alan Shearer, but have been told that an exchange deal is not on the cards.

10/02 - Iceland's 17-year-old whizz-kid Bjarni Gudjonsson is back on Tyneside so that Dalglish can assess him.

11/02 - Ginola is once again in the French sports daily l'Equipe dismissing rumours of an imminent departure. "I don't want to talk about a possible move before the end of the season. I have never explicitly said I wanted to go to Paris St Germain or Olympique Marseille. Newcastle need me. "I'd love to play for my local club ((Marseilles), but perhaps that might never happen."

14/02 - Disappointing news for United fans as the club will only receive 1,800 tickets for their UEFA Cup quarter final second leg with Monaco next month. They normally attract gates of only 5,000 and their stadium has been passed for a 15,000 capacity on the night. Monaco, themselves, will only take 300 tickets for the match at St James Park.

17/02 - Blackburn Rovers youth team coach Alan Irvine joins United.

17/02 - Youngsters David Eatock and Stuart Elliott link up with Wigan Athletic today for a two-day trial. They will play in a couple of reserve matches.

18/02 - Peter Beardsley is on the short-list for the vacant manager's position at Oldham Athletic.

19/02 - Newcastle's fixture at Upton Park with West Ham is postponed with only a few minutes to kick-off due to torrential rain.

21/02 - Srnicek has had his transfer request granted by manager Kenny Dalglish, however United are unlikely to sell him while they are still in the UEFA Cup because this would leave them with only one experienced keeper in Shaka Hislop.

22/02 - Pr: Middlesbrough 0 Newcastle 1 - A first away win in the league since October over the struggling Teessiders with an early goal from Ferdinand. Newcastle were on the defensive for most of the derby encounter and the Magpies are now six points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. Asked if results had opened up the title race for Newcastle, Dalglish replied: "I never knew it was closed."

27/02 - Newcastle refuse to confirm or deny reports that Shearer will be out for the rest of the season.

28/02 - Dalglish criticises the Shearer scare stories. "He'll be back when he's fit and well and it's totally frustrating to read stories, without foundation, that show a lack of respect for the punter." Dalglish watched Metz striker Robert Pires against Holland earlier this week, but states: "We have enough players here to cover all eventualities." Paul Brayson's loan to Scunthorpe has been extended for another month.

30/02 - The flotation prospectus is released with the club expecting to be valued at between £172m and £193m when they join the stock market. Newcastle hope to raise £47.4m from the float but the cash will not go towards the purchase of players. It is earmarked for debt repayment, future instalments on current players' transfer fees and the club's proposed youth training scheme. Co-chief executive Mark Corbidge also states that the £80m needed to build a new stadium and turn St James' Park into an indoor training centre and sports complex would not be raised by further share issues. The club warn applications from the public are not guaranteed to be successful as 33,000 people, including season tickets holders, eligible employees and existing shareholders will be given preference.

01/03 - Pr: Newcastle 0 Southampton 1 - A really poor performance as United fail to score at Gallowgate for the first time this season. As usual, Matt Le Tissier is the match winner when a long ball from the Saints defence catches the defence out and he whacks a shot past Hislop from the edge of the box. Les Ferdinand pulls a hamstring just before half-time and fails to appear after the break.

01/03 - Keegan, working for ITV football says: "I am looking forward to my new life away from football. I really enjoyed my five years but time to come, time to go. Life goes on and I am really enjoying not having to wake up and go to a football club, as much as I enjoyed it in the early years at Newcastle, so I won't be going back to St James'."

03/03 - David Ginola takes to Clubcall to air his grievances. "I didn't come to Newcastle to be a substitute and if the manager doesn't put you in the team you maybe have to say 'bye-bye'. I don't want to put pressure on the manager but if I don't play in the team it's a shame for me. I want to be more involved."

03/03 - Peter Beardsley is doubtful for Newcastle's UEFA Cup quarter-final first leg with Monaco tomorrow after being concussed after being struck in the head by a fierce shot from a colleague during training.

04/03 - UEFA QF: Newcastle 0 Monaco 1 - Without Shearer, Ferdinand and Asprila and with Beardsley only able to make the subs bench, Dalglish plays a five-man midfield and Robert Lee is asked to play up front on his own. A classy and slick-moving Monaco line-up ease to victory with a goal from Sonny Anderson.

06/03 - Dalglish wants to reinstate the Reserve Side controversially pulled out of the Pontins Central League at the start of the season by Keegan. The decision has left United without any competitive football for their players not on first-team duty and has resulted in a number of promising players being sold. He also wants a team in the Northern Alliance and a junior XI.

07/03 - Dalglish tries to play down reports of a training ground bust-up with David Ginola. According to an eyewitness quoted in today's Daily Star the French winger confronted Dalglish during training yesterday. It claims that as Dalglish and McDermott were talking to the players, Ginola stood up and started shouting at Dalglish and pointing his finger at him. Dalglish says: "The players sat on the grass and we had a meeting. He (Ginola) was one of the players that was spoken to but we're not going to disclose what's involved in discussions between myself and players. I've not argued with anyone publicly. It takes two people to have an argument." When asked if there will be any repercussions for Ginola as a result of the incident Dalglish reacts angrily. "Don't ask me to justify what's in the papers. I've told you what we want to say and that's the finish. At the end of the day we open facilities up here for people to come in and watch us train. Someone that's come in and watched has chosen to make a few quid out of something he thought was a story. If someone's stupid enough to pay him that's up to them."

10/03 - Pr: Liverpool 4 Newcastle 3 - For the second season running United lose 4-3 at Anfield due to a last-gasp winner, but this was nothing like the thrillingly competitive game of 1995-96, Liverpool completely overwhelmed United in the first period and led 3-0 at the break. In the second-half the home side’s play becomes lax and goals from Gillespie, Asprilla and Barton make it 3-3.. The full-back’s goal comes with only two minutes left, but immediately a Bjornebye cross is met by Fowler for another dramatic Liverpool winner. Although Dalglish sees some positives he concedes that: “There was a lot of things there that just weren't right if you're going to be successful as a football club." The Scot brushed aside the incident when a Newcastle fan stormed down the touchline and threw his replica shirt in his face after the third Liverpool goal. "He must have thought I was still registered - maybe he wanted me to go on. Our fans were magnificent. The way they got behind the team and kept at it was great. In fact their performance was much better than ours.” Ferdinand came on as substitute at half-time for Peter Beardsley, but lasted only 11 minutes before being replaced because of his hamstring injury.

13/03 - A campaign by the "No Business On The Moor " protesters has gathered 29,000 signatures opposing the plan for the new stadium, but a supporters group will collect signatures for a petition supporting the plan.

15/03 - Pr: Newcastle 4 Coventry 0 - A comfortable victory over a very poor Sky Blues side. Asprilla sets up Watson and Lee and then wins a penalty that Beardsley converts. Robbie Elliot adds a fourth.

18/03 - Clydebank youngster Gary Teale (18) arrives for a second trial on Tyneside. The Scotland Under-21 cap has also been on trial with Spurs this season, admits he is desperate for someone to take a gamble on him soon. "I know I can do a job for a club at the highest level, but I wish someone would give me a chance."

18/03 - UEFA Cup QF: Monaco 3 Newcastle 0 (agg 4-0) - The French League leaders’ mean defence and silky attacking make short shrift of beating the toothless Magpies. Legwinski opens the scoring just before the break and Benarbia nets the other two. Monaco thus become the first French side to knock out English opponents since 1977 when Newcastle were beaten by Bastia.

21/03 - Dalglish confirms that Ginola has asked for a transfer.

23/03 - Pr: Wimbledon 1 Newcastle 1 - The pitch at Selhurst Park pitch is in a bad way, but it is the same for both teams and does not excuse a poor performance. The Dons have much the better of the game and deservedly take the lead. A brilliant curling free-kick from Asprilla is one of only two shots on target from the Magpies.

24/03 - United win the race to sign highly-rated Iceland Under-21 international striker Bjarni Gudjonsson (18) who also had a trial with Liverpool. IA Akranes value him at around £500,000 but Newcastle are likely to suggest a fee based on appearances as he is not yet ready to play in the FA Premiership.

24/03 - Approximately 14,000 fans who had wanted to buy shares are left disappointed as the club disclose that none of the 135p shares in its £193 million flotation have been allocated to the public. Newcastle gave preference in to its season ticket holders, some 8,500 of whom applied. They will receive 370 shares each, which works out at around £500 worth.

27/03 - In his latest comment on his resignation Keegan provides a new reason. "What happened at Newcastle was they had to be taken forward and by someone else in my opinion. Other people may have seen it differently, but that's the way I saw it and it was my decision. The next stage is for them to win something. I'm delighted Kenny's taken over. He's already done it twice with Liverpool and Blackburn.” He also reiterates that he has no plans to return to football management. "Newcastle was a special club for me and for five years I loved it there. I don't see another situation developing like it. You learn never to say never, although it is unlikely,"

29/03/97 - Robert Lee is man-of the-match in his first international for a year against Mexico. He is used in his former right-wing position.

02/04 - United completed their share flotation and are now a public limited company on the Stock Market.

02/04 - Newcastle are interested in a summer deal for AEK Athens midfielder Temur Ketsbaia. The 28-year-old Georgian international is valued at £500,000, but will be available on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling at the end of the season.

03/04 - Asprilla is sent off in Colombia’s match in Paraguay which is good news for Newcastle as he will be banned for their next match at home to Peru on April 30 and will therefore not have to make a long, tiring journey to South America.

05/04 - Newcastle1 Sunderland 1 - Despite the return from injury of both Ferdinand and Shearer, United miss a host of chances against their local rivals. Matters get worse when Chris Waddle sets up Michael Gray to open the scoring, but Shearer equalises thirteen minutes from time.

08/04 - Les Ferdinand scotches rumours of his departure. "I keep hearing that I'm going at the end of the season. It was the same last season. As long as the manager wants me and is happy with me then I'm happy." Philippe Albert, having just undergone a knee operation, is targeted by former club Anderlecht.

09/04 - Barcelona are reported to have made a staggering £20m offer for Alan Shearer who they see as an ideal replacement for Brazilian Ronaldo who has been linked with a move to Italy.

10/04 - Newcastle chief executive Freddie Fletcher tells Clubcall that no such offer has been made. "The position is that we know nothing about it. We have not received any offer for Alan Shearer. We bought Alan Shearer because we believe he is a world-class player, not to make any money out of him by re-selling him. Alan Shearer will not be for sale from Newcastle United at any price."

13/04 - Sheffield Wednesday 1 Newcastle 1 - Newcastle haven't lost at Hillsborough since 1985 and they play out their third draw in a row against Wednesday. Robbie Elliot puts the Magpies ahead on 34 minutes, but Pembridge volleys an equaliser in the second half.

14/04 - Alan Shearer is named for the second time as Players' Player of the Year so becoming only the second player, after Mark Hughes, to be honoured twice in his career. Peter Beardsley receives a special Merit Award for an outstanding contribution to the game.

16/04 Newcastle 3 Chelsea 1 - A storming start from Newcastle sees them score three goals within the first 35 minutes. Shearer scores a brace and the superb Asprilla nets a brilliant goal inbetween. Burley pulls one back on the hour and the remaining half-hour is somewhat nervy for the Magpies.

19/04 - Pr: Newcastle 3 Derby County 1 - Asprilla is once again the leading light as United's unbeaten run extends to six games. Dean Sturridge scores in the first minute for County, but ten minutes later 'keeper Russell Hoult palms an Elliot cross into his own net. After the break Ferdinand and Shearer are both on target to secure maximum points.

21/04 - Shearer, Batty, Ferdinand and Lee are all in the England squad and Des Hamilton is called up by England Under-21.

24/04 - Dalglish takes in Liverpool’s match against PSG with him believed to be scouting visiting centre-half Bruno Ngotty.

25/04 - Newcastle agree to David Ginola’s transfer request. Sir John Hall says: "He is a tremendous player, very skilful and one of those who delights the crowd. I don't know much of what went on between him and the manager as I have been away on holiday.

28/04 - St Mirren’s Scotland Under-21 international midfielder Ricky Gillies is due to arrive on trial. He has previously spent a week with Liverpool who are keen to sign him. Dalglish is also keeping tabs on Danish Under-21 striker Jon Dahl Tomasson who would cost £2.5million from Dutch club Heerenveen.

29/04 - Young goalkeeper Shay Given, of Blackburn and Eire, is linked with a move to Newcastle.

29/04 - David Ginola has been linked with a string of clubs including Barcelona, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain since demanding a transfer last month. However, rumours of a move to Spanish League leaders Real Madrid look set to be dashed because coach Fabio Capello is facing the sack.

02/05 - Kenny Dalglish comments on a number of transfer rumours. He dismisses reports that Les Ferdinand is worried his Newcastle days are numbered. "There's no problem with Les. If he was concerned he'd speak to me and he's never said anything to me". On the Temur Ketsbaia situation he says: "We're waiting for a decision from him. Nothing's done yet". He denies that the club have signed a pre-contract agreement with Jon Dahl Tomasson, dismisses reports that Newcastle have agreed a deal with Blackburn for Shay Given and denies receiving a £2.5million bid from Ajax for defender Philippe Albert.

03/05 - Pr: Arsenal 0 Newcastle 1 - A defensive display based on hard work and discipline secures a fine victory. Pavel Srnicek, back in goal, is brilliant as United defend Robbie Elliott’s goal, just before the break. Keith Gillespie is sent off for two bookable offences.

06/05 - Pr: West Ham 0 Newcastle 0 - Newcastle needed a win to keep their faint hope of catching Manchester United, but a point in a dour struggle keeps Newcastle on course for a possible runners-up spot.

08/05 - Pr: Man United 0 Newcastle 0 - Another determined performance against Champions Manchester United following a fine display by the defence. Both sides hit the woodwork.

10/05 - Argentinian clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors are linked with Asprilla.

11/05 - Pr: Newcastle 5 Nottingham Forest 0 - in order to finish runners-up and join Manchester United in the Champions League, the Magpies need to win and hope that Liverpool don’t. Forest have already been relegated and they concede four in fifteen minutes up to the 36th minute. Asprilla scores first, then Ferdinand grabs a brace and Shearer makes it four. Elliot scores the final goal after the break. Liverpool are held to a draw at Hillsborough.

13/05 - Newcastle are linked with a sensational move for Italian international Alessandro Del Piero with the Juventus owner admitting they may have to sell. Meanwhile, Dalglish odenies that Peter Beardsley is to join has relegated Sunderland. "I have spoken to Peter Reid a couple of times this week, but only to offer my condolences on their relegation as he's a friend but there has been no mention at all of Peter Beardsley. It is rubbish."

13/05 - West Brom manager Ray Harford dismisses speculation linking him with a move to United to join up again with Kenny Dalglish. Harford was first-team coach at Blackburn when Dalglish was manager. Newcastle also play down the story insisting that the club already has a large and capable coaching staff.

14/05 - Pavel Srnicek is waiting to find out whether a top German club is ready to sign him, he is already aware that French clubs are known to be interested. He says: "I will talk to anyone interested in taking me, but only if they tell me I will be their No 1 goalkeeper."

15/05 - Darren Peacock, Newcastle’s most consistent performer throughout the campaign, denies rumours linking him with a summer transfer. "I am going nowhere, and I am staying with Newcastle United. There is no better club to play for, so why lower my sights when I love playing here and we have such an exciting future ahead of us."

17/05 - Dalglish returns to his former club Blackburn once more, this time to recruit goalkeeping coach Terry Gennoe. He will take over from Peter Bonetti, who had been working on a part-time basis.

19/05 - Les Ferdinand will have an operation on the groin injury that has ruled him out of England's summer games. Newcastle physio Derek Wright says: "He's been aware for a while that he had a problem, but put off doing anything until the end of the season." United's Rob Lee has joined England after recovering from calf trouble.

20/05 - After months of speculation linking Blackburn's reserve ‘keeper, Shay Given (21), with a big-money move, he has now officially declined Rovers' offer of a new contract. Dalglish, who first brought Given to Blackburn from Celtic three years ago, is now likely to make a firm cash bid for the 21-year-old.

22/05 - Faustino Asprilla is alleged to have head-butted a policeman during a concert in his home town of Tulua, during his summer break in South America. Newcastle United spokesman Graham Courtney said: "The club will wait and see what the true circumstances are surrounding this alleged incident".

24/05 - Crewe youngster Danny Murphy is wanted by both Newcastle and Liverpool. Kenny Dalglish has already had an £800,000 bid rejected and is poised to increase his offer.

29/05 - John Hall says that reports that Barcelona are ready to bid £25m for Shearer are “absolute nonsense”. Barcelona are selling Brazilian striker Ronaldo to Inter Milan.

29/05 - Des Hamilton will win his first England U21 cap against Poland. Coach Peter Taylor says: "Des has real talent and he's quick and he's strong.

31/05 - Newcastle have failed to agree a deal with Blackburn for out-of-contract goalkeeper Shay Given and announce their intention to argue that Blackburn are not legally entitled to be compensated when the move is reviewed by an independent tribunal. The Bosman ruling means that players are allowed to move to other clubs within the European Union on free transfers when their contracts expire, however the legal implications for transfers between two British clubs have yet to be fully established. The Newcastle statement reads: "Following the European Court of Justice ruling in the Bosman case, the requirement for the payment of a compensation fee at the end of a player's contract may be unlawful where the player moves between two British clubs. Newcastle United Football Club proposes to raise this issue before the independent tribunal." Given will join Newcastle on a four-year contract when his Blackburn deal expires next month.

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