Character not cash is key to Toon survival

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NEWCASTLE fans are counting down the days until the transfer window opens and Eddie Howe gets the chance to splash the Saudi cash on the club’s survival mission.

The Toon Army have already written off this afternoon’s home game against Manchester City. But

supporters believe it is Howe’s (left) New Year recruitment drive which holds the key to staying up.

However, Brian Kilcline, part of Kevin Keegan’s Toon side 30 years ago, believes it’s character not Arab millions which will save the

Geordies’ skin. Centre-half Kilcline (circle) was 30 when he became a standard-bearer for Keegan’s revolution, which transformed Newcastle from relegation strugglers in the old Second Division to title contenders.

And though he only made 32 appearances for the club, the defensive giant they called ‘Killer’ is fondly remembered on Tyneside.

“I was just a big, daft eejit who went to the right place at the right time,” Kilcline said. “Whatever I did bring to the club seemed to work. I guess it just goes to show you don’t have to be the costliest or most spectacular signing to be successful.”

Kilcline saw his former club draw 1-1 with Leeds earlier this season and he added: “Newcastle were a team of strangers in the first half that day. They became friends in the second and deserved a draw.

“But you need to be even closer than that. More like brothers than friends and the team I played for were a band of brothers.

“Newcastle can have all the cash in the world, but what Eddie Howe really needs to do is create that family atmosphere similar to what Liverpool have these days.

“And that’s as much about character and chemistry as multimillion-pound footballers.”