All you need to know to pick your team

TO mark Newcastle United’s 125th anniversary we want you to pick the best Newcastle United XI from the club’s rich history.

From Bob Moncur to Alan Shearer via some of the other great players who have donned black and white, we have come up with a shortlist of 38 players for you to turn into the greatest Newcastle side EVER.

And in conjunction with Newcastle United, the Chronicle and ChronicleLive is hosting the selection process.

Voting opened last night at 7pm for you to pick your best players ahead of an announcement on December 9 before the club’s 125th anniversary game against Leicester City at St James’ Park.

Here is everything you need to know about the process – including any questions that you might have.

What is it all about?

As part of the club’s 125-year anniversary celebrations, Newcastle United and the Chronicle have teamed up to launch a month-long search for the club’s best EVER XI to mark the momentous milestone.

The survey went live last night and you get a month to pick your side – during which time the club and the ChronicleLive will be running articles and videos to help you make all the important calls for this fantasy XI of Magpies legends.

You can vote on ChronicleLive or on the club’s official website – and the idea is to celebrate the many great, world-class talents that United have had at their disposal down the years.

How do I pick my team?

We have launched the survey online – but there is also a paper version of the voting form on page 8 of this supplement that you can post to us before the deadline on December 5.

Who picked the shortlist?

We have nominated 38 of what we think are the greatest Newcastle players ever.

Remember this is not a list of the 50 best, it is separated into positions so you have to nominate your best in

every department.

To help you along the way we’ve nominated some players to pick from but we’ve left a space for you to pick your own if we’ve overlooked them.

The selection panel consisted of longserving club officials, the club’s official historian and the Chronicle writers including John Gibson, who is the longest-serving regional sports writer in the country.

What if my favourite player isn’t on the list?

There is scope to add in your favourites if they haven’t been included on the shortlist. Simply type in their full name in the comment box on the Survey Monkey link and it will count as one vote.

If your favourite gets more votes than any of the nominated players, we’ll include them in the team – as long as our selection panel considers them a suitable addition!

Why is it a 4-3-3 formation?

It was not an easy call. Newcastle have traditionally played with a 4-4-2 but there was such a wealth of attacking talent that we’ve opted for three up front so that you’re spared the dilemma of dropping one of club’s the striking greats from your XI.

We’ve still included all of your favourite wingers in there as well.

So why is Joe Harvey in midfield?

Another call that might spark controversy but the club’s official hall of fame entry lists him as a “wing half” – or modern day up-and-down-the-park midfielder. So we have him listed as a defensive midfielder for your consideration.

How long have I got to pick my team?

The deadline to get your vote in is December 5 at 5pm.

What happens next?

You have a month to pick your team – during which time we’ll be running interviews with some of the nominees, our writers’ verdicts and bringing you plenty of video and analysis about the club’s best ever players.

The final team will be announced ahead of the Leicester game at St James’ Park on December 9.