Peter Beardsley

Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE (born January 18, 1961, Newcastle-upon-Tyne) was a renowned [[England| English]] footballer of the 1980s and 1990s, who once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times.

Early career

Beardsley was released as a teenager by hometown club Newcastle United but found his way back there in 1983 after successful spells with Carlisle United and Canadian outfit Vancouver Whitecaps. He then rejoined the Magpies after a short spell with Manchester United who only played him in one League Cup tie before letting him leave.

Newcastle United

A pacey, incisive and skillful forward, Beardsley was an instant hit with the passionate Newcastle crowd, scoring spectacular goals and making plenty more as the club made its way back to English football's top flight in 1984, captained by the inspirational Kevin Keegan in his final season as a player.

Beardsley played for a further four seasons at Newcastle and also became a regular in the England side as the perfect foil for star striker Gary Lineker, who described Beardsley as 'the best partner I could ever have'. England scored seven goals in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico, of which Lineker famously got six (and the Golden Boot for doing so), but few know that the other goal came from Beardsley in a 3-0 rout over Paraguay in the second round.

Liverpool

In 1987, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish paid an English record transfer fee of £1.9 million for Beardsley to come to Anfield, and there he won his first domestic honour with the League title, which Liverpool captured in a most convincing fashion. Beardsley became a darling of the Kop, scoring goals and making plenty more as the side suffered only two League defeats all season. However, there was disappointment at the end when Wimbledon denied them the 'double' with a shock 1-0 win in the FA Cup final.

Liverpool won the FA Cup the following year, but lost their League championship in the last minute of the last game of the season against Arsenal. They did win the championship again in 1990, but Dalglish quit soon after, and Beardsley found himself out of favour with new manager Graeme Souness, even though he maintained his place in the England team and featured in both Euro 88 and the 1990 World Cup.

Everton

Beardsley crossed the city to join Liverpool's rivals Everton, a move which would normally incur the antipathy of the Liverpool supporters. However, he was forgiven because the fans were unhappy that Beardsley had not been retained and blamed the club, rather than the player. He played well and scored freely for the blue half of Merseyside, though winning nothing.

The Return to Newcastle

In 1993, Beardsley went back to Newcastle after his old team-mate and strike partner Kevin Keegan became manager. He was recalled to the England team, and ultimately ended his international career in 1996 after gaining 59 caps. He played a magnificent swansong of four years at his favourite club, almost captaining them to the FA Premier League title in 1996, though ultimately they just missed out to Manchester United.

Later Career and Retirement

He left Newcastle in 1997 and went on to play for Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Fulham and Hartlepool United before retiring at the age of 38.

Trivia

In 1995, he was awarded the MBE for services to the game.
He is now on the coaching staff in the Academy at Newcastle United.
He is married with a daughter and a son.
He once claimed in a matchday programme interview that if he could be invisible for a day, he would stand at a pelican crossing all day, pressing the button.
He once scored four goals for England against Aylesbury.

He was terrified of swimming until he recently overcame his fear.

Honours

Peter Beardsley | Peter Beardsley | Peter Beardsley

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Peter Beardsley