When Rob Lee did what Pele couldn't and long before Beckham
We don't normally make a day of it in these parts but did you know that tomorrow is officially the 17th anniversary of "the one that got away" for Rob Lee against Brentford.
Chewing the fat with Lee this week certainly made a few memories start flooding back to a golden era where Newcastle United seemed capable of taking on the world.
There's enough memories of Lee alone to write a book but interestingly this week while talking to colleagues about some of the great goals bagged by the Londoner that Toon fans seemed to love, there was a recurring theme.
And it wasn't talking about his hat-trick in Antwerp, or his blinder against Nottingham Forest or his header at Wembley against Chelsea - it was indeed that 'goal' against Brentford.
Against Brentford with Newcastle all over the Bees, a clearance from Graham Benstead (at a time when goalies were still getting used to the new backpass rule) was punted to just inside the Toon half.
Instinctively Barry Venison appealed for offside and was successful with the ball heading to the Brentford frontline as Newcastle stepped out.
However, in that same split second Lee had magnificently chested the ball down and hooked it high over Benstead's head and into the Leazes End goal.
The referee quickly chalked the goal off to leave Lee devastated that his wonder goal hadn't stood.
If it had, it then he would have eclipsed Pele's attempted effort from long range against Czechoslovakia in the 1962 World Cup.
And it would have come three years before David Beckham's famous goal at Selhurst Park against Wimbledon.
Sadly, I couldn't find any footage of the goal in the vault and I don't own a VHS recorder any more so quite how I'm going to ever see it again, I don't know.
But hopefully Lee can take some solace from the fact we're at least remembering it
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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I believe that this goal was at brentford and not at home
Ryder's reply: Incorrect Sir.
Definitely at St. James' was fortunate to be there to see it. Unfortunately it didn't count as the ref blew for a free kick to Newcastle.
Could be a faulty memory, but I'm sure the Brentford player in an offside position was former mag Joe Allon.
100% at St. James' Park, the away game away we beat them 2-1 i think, it was live on TV..
but nthe one that got away was at SJP 100.
This was at home and i'm sure Kevin Scott scored an own goal meaning we scored all six in a 5-1 win. Can remember Roger Thames on highlights on Tyne Tees saying it was a crying shame it wasn't given. Was sitting Milburn top corner back then, happy days indeed...
I was there - near the dugout he got the ball and straight into the Leazes End net - magic but disallowed. we were gutted but oh for those days again......
Def at ST James, I was at the game on behind the net when the ball went into the net, no seats then... good old days !
Ithink pele's effort was against the czech's in 1970 world cup in mexico
I was in the Gallowgate - why would someone place a post saying it was at Brentford when he/she obviously doesn't know!?
Would've been a cracking goal.
i was there that day plus i got newcastle 1992/93 season on video
Ian Spark
Any chance you could find a spotty teenager and get him to post it on youtube so we can all see it again Please Mate?
i've got a copy of the match on vhs. i'll have to try to digitise it if i can.
it was the very first match i went to.
i got a copy of it on vhs in a charity shop in sunderland of all places, it's an old 'the blue star match' tape.
and i'm not 100% sure, but i think chris hughton was in the brentford side that day!