Two Newcastle United Fairs Cup legends who were born on this day
TIME marches on and two figures synonymous with Newcastle United’s 1969 Fairs Cup success celebrate their birthdays today.
Ollie Burton – the former centrehalf and Welsh international – turns 76, while one-time super striker Bryan ‘Pop’ Robson is 72.
Burton joined United from Norwich City back in 1963 for a then sizeable fee of £37,500.
Taking time to settle and converting from wing-half to centre-half, Ollie’s finest hour came during the Toon’s inaugural European odyssey.
And for a piece of Ollie Burton trivia, in 1965 he became the first Newcastle substitute to enter the field of play, while in 1967 he became the first Toon sub to score a goal.
He was forced to retire after sustaining a knee injury during an accidental clash with Magpies keeper Willie McFaul.
In ten years at Gallowgate, a string of knocks meant Burton made 220(9) appearances, scoring eight goals including two penalty screamers against Sunderland in 1967.
In retirement, Ollie lives quietly in East Anglia and can be found on match days at Norwich City’s Carrow Road sitting next to Canaries superfan and TV chef Delia Smith in the directors’ box.
Meanwhile, after joining the Toon in 1962, Pop Robson, like Burton, was a slow burner whose form exploded into life in the Fairs Cup campaign where he formed a deadly little-and-large partnership with Wyn Davies.
His goals against Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Real Zaragoza, and Vitoria Setubal helped United lift that unlikely trophy.
Not only was Pop nippy and quick on the turn, but he could shoot from distance, firing in several long-range efforts which sent St James’ Park into meltdown.
Sunderland-born Robson left Gallowgate under a cloud in 1971, after falling out with manager Joe Harvey over a new contract and accusing the club of a lack of professionalism.
He went on to have successful spells at West Ham and Sunderland, playing until his early 40s, before becoming a welltravelled coach and scout.
More than four decades on, Robson is still remembered as one of English football’s best uncapped players.
Bill Gibbs is chairman of the Fairs Club fans’ group which meets regularly and honours former Newcastle United players.
He recalls: “Ollie Burton was a player who always gave 100% for the club, but suffered more than his fair share of injuries.
“A few years ago, members of the club met up with Ollie in Thetford in Norfolk, the town where they filmed the outdoor scenes for Dad’s Army.
“We spent four and a half hours with him and had a great time.”
Bill went on: “Pop Robson was the darling of the Leazes End in the late 1960s and linked up brilliantly with Wyn Davies.
“As a player he was always on the move, twisting and turning, and a real goal machine. We used to call him a ‘born striker’.”
Many happy returns to true Newcastle United legends Ollie Burton and Bryan ‘Pop’ Robson.