David Crosson (1970/71 to 1974/75)

Powerfully built and strong tackling right-back who deputised for David Craig during 1973/74, but had stiff competition in the following campaign from Irving Nattrass and Ray Blackhall.

His Newcastle career appeared to be over before it started when he was was one of a number of youngsters freed at the end of the 1971/72 season, but a week later he was offered new terms.

Not long out of juniors, he was doing well in the reserves where he played in defence, midfield and attack. He made his debut when he came on for ?? at the League Cup tie at Birmingham at the end of October 1973. At one point it was thought he would start the game in midfield as Harvey explained that he anticipated a tough game and Crossan was “a tough nut and I want him to win the ball for us and set it up for the ball players”.

He made his first start at Dundee United in the Texaco Cup and when David Craig dislocated his shoulder in April 1974 he made his League debut at Old Trafford and got a run of games in the side. He was part of the team that beat Burnley in the Texaco Cup Final.

Although Crosson was included in the first team squad for 1974/75 he had, by September, become “fed up and disillusioned” as, at the time, he could not even get a game for the reserves as Peter Kelly was preferred. The only game he got all season was the 3-0 League defeat at Highbury in March.

David was released at the end of the season and moved to Darlington in August 1975.

His overall appearances were League: 6, League Cup 0/1, Texaco Cup: 3.