- Figures on famous Newcastle United 1920s side make the list
- The three FA Cup victories in the 50s included devastating strikers
- Who takes the No 1 spot?
The Toon Army have been treated to some of the finest finishers this country has ever witnessed, with strikers who have represented Newcastle United scoring countless goals over the years.
Under Eddie Howe, William Osula is the man in form at the moment, with three goals in his last four games, as well as a late dagger against Manchester United back in March, which secured a huge three points.
ReadNewcastle takes a look at the Top 10 goalscorers in the Magpies’ illustrious history to see where your favourites rank.
10th – Pop Robson: 1962–71 – 97 goals
A product of the Black and Whites’ academy, Robson was a prolific goalscorer throughout the 1960s, helping them secure promotion to Division One in 1964–65.
He formed a strong partnership with Wyn Davies as they led the line. Robson scored 30 goals in the 1968–69 campaign as the St James’ Park outfit went on to win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, their first European success.
9th – Neil Harris: 1920–25 – 101 goals
The forward played for several clubs in his native Scotland, even during World War I, before making a £3,300 move to the North East of England.
He was a prolific goalscorer, netting 14 goals in the FA Cup. He also scored in the FA Cup final in 1923–24 as Newcastle went on to win the competition for a second time.
8th – Bobby Mitchell: 1949–61 – 113 goals
Another Scot to represent Newcastle, Mitchell moved to St James’ Park after World War Two and quickly became a fan favourite among the Toon Army, earning the nickname “Bobby Dazzler”.
Like Harris, he was key to their success at Wembley, where they won three FA Cups, and he scored in the 1955 final. After leaving, he joined Berwick Rangers before retiring at Gateshead.
7th – Tom McDonald: 1921–31 – 113 goals
The third Scottish player in the Top 10, McDonald played alongside Harris during a period when Newcastle won the FA Cup and the Division One title in 1926–27.
He enjoyed a successful decade on Tyneside before joining York City, where he spent two seasons but was unable to replicate his Newcastle form. He later retired at Goole Town.
6th – Peter Beardsley: 1983–87 / 1993–97 – 121 goals
Two separate spells at the Magpies saw Beardsley’s goal tally grow significantly. He began his career in Newcastle’s academy before leaving for Carlisle United in 1978. After impressing at Vancouver Whitecaps, he returned to England for £150,000.
He became a key player in his first spell, finishing as top scorer twice in 1984–85 and 1985–86. After spells on Merseyside with both Liverpool and Everton, he returned under former teammate Kevin Keegan. He helped Newcastle following promotion to the Premier League, playing a key role in their strong finishes and near title challenge.
5th – Malcolm Macdonald: 1971–76 – 121 goals
Macdonald played for Luton Town and Fulham before moving north to Newcastle United, where he enjoyed a hugely successful five years. He was the club’s top scorer in four of those seasons, with 32 goals in his best campaign.
Newcastle were runners-up in both the FA Cup and League Cup during his time, while he famously scored a hat-trick on his debut against Liverpool, a sign of what was to come. He later joined Arsenal, where he continued his prolific scoring form.
4th – Hughie Gallacher: 1925–30 – 143 goals
Following Newcastle’s FA Cup victory in 1924, the club looked to push further up the league, and Gallacher’s signing delivered exactly that. He was top scorer in every season he played, including 39 goals in their title-winning 1926–27 campaign.
Loved by the Toon Army for his relentless finishing, he left for Chelsea in 1930 before moving around English football. He eventually returned to the North East and retired at Gateshead in 1939.
3rd – Len White: 1953–62 – 153 goals
White began his career at Rotherham before joining Newcastle, where he enjoyed major success. He could play as a winger or striker and formed a strong partnership with legendary Jackie Milburn.
They won the FA Cup together in 1955. When Milburn retired later in the decade, White stepped up superbly, finishing as Newcastle’s top scorer five seasons in a row. He later joined Huddersfield Town before retiring in 1966 with Stockport County.
2nd – Jackie Milburn: 1943–57 – 201 goals
For fans of a certain generation, this academy graduate is regarded as one of the greatest players in the club’s history. A lightning-fast forward, Milburn was deadly in front of goal and finished as Newcastle’s top scorer five times.
After a trial in 1943, then-manager Mike Kirkup reportedly asked him to sign immediately. Thirteen years later, he had helped deliver three FA Cups and cemented his legendary status on Tyneside.
1st – Alan Shearer: 1996–2006 – 206 goals
Regarded not only as Newcastle’s greatest striker but also one of England’s finest forwards, Shearer struck fear into defenders with his relentless finishing ability.
He was the club’s top scorer in every season he played for his boyhood team, eventually becoming the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer. Although he never won a major trophy with Newcastle, his legacy remains unmatched in the club’s history.
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