THE YEAR WAS 1996 The year Toon nearly took football home

IT was the year when football came home, Newcastle United narrowly missed out on what could have been their first title for nearly seven decades and the club signed a player for a world-record fee.

The year 1996 was one of extreme highs and lows for fans of a Magpies side inspired by manager Kevin Keegan as they squandered a 12-point lead in the title race, allowing Manchester United to take the glory instead.

The black and whites may have failed to bring home a first championship since 1927, but the club did bring Gosforth-born England captain Alan Shearer back to his roots, the £15m fee paid to Blackburn Rovers for his services making him the world’s most expensive signing.

In between those

milestones, Shearer had helped hosts England reach the semifinals of Euro 96 – the tournament whose slogan was ‘Football’s Coming Home’ – becoming top scorer and Golden Boot winner in the process, while Newcastle’s St James’ Park staged three group games involving France, Bulgaria and Romania.

Down the road at Middlesbrough FC, big signings were being made too, under the managership of former England captain Bryan Robson.

Italy star Fabrizio Ravanelli arrived at the Riverside Stadium in a £7m move from Juventus and promptly scored a hattrick on his debut as Boro drew 3-3 at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the season.

The year also saw Newcastle Arena officially opened with top acts like AC/DC, fronted by Tynesider Brian Johnson, Status Quo, Van Morrison, Meatloaf and Boyzone among those to appear in it.

Tyneside-set Our Friends in the North, starring Sunderland-born Gina Mckee and current James Bond actor Daniel Craig, was the big hit TV drama and Bob Olley’s Famous Faces artwork went on display at Monument Metro station.

And renowned charity fundraiser Brian Dowson, better known as ‘Big Hec,’ and regularly seen in pubs and clubs around the region with his collection bucket, passed away.

Outside the North East, 1996 was the year Prince Charles’ troubled marriage to Diana finally ended in divorce, Mad Cow Disease first hit the news and Dolly the sheep became the first cloned mammal.

the club in ■ Alan Shearer with Newcastle United chairman Sir John Hall after joining

United boss Kevin world-record £15m move, July 6, 1996. Inset: A few months earlier,

battle with Keegan delivered his famous ‘I would love it’ TV rant as the psychological

pitch

Alex Ferguson, boss of title rivals Manchester United, reached fever