Newcastle United official announcement – Alan Shoulder has died | OneFootball

Very sad news, as it has been announced that Alan Shoulder has died.

Newcastle United making public the news on Sunday.

Alan Shoulder swapped non-league football and working at the pit, for life as a Newcastle United player.

He easily made the step up to playing in the second tier and for those of us who were around then, his partnership with Peter Withe.

A very good goalscorer, Alan Shoulder scored in the 3-1 New Year’s day derby victory over Sunderland in 1980.

In that match, Tommy Cassidy (who also recently sadly passed away) scored a stunning volley, whilst Peter Cartwright got the other United goal that day, he had also stepped up from non-league football in the same era, joining NUFC from North Shields.

It always hits you when players who you enjoyed watching, are no longer with us.

Newcastle United official announcement – 2 February 2025:

‘Alan Shoulder – the former pitman who went on to play more than 100 times for Newcastle United in the 1970s and 1980s – has passed away at the age of 71.

United paid £20,000 to bring the Bishop Auckland-born forward to St. James’ Park in 1978 from non-league Blyth Spartans at the age of 25, as he swapped a career as a Deputy at Horden pit for the second division of English football – his wages reportedly jumping from £14 a week to £300 a week.

He quickly made the step up to successfully partner Peter Withe for two seasons and scored 21 goals in 1979/80, many through sheer persistence – although he was also clinical from the penalty spot and netted nine spot-kicks that season, a club record. Shoulder was the club’s Player of the Year in that campaign.

In all, he scored 38 times in 117 appearances for the Magpies before joining Carlisle United in 1982. He went on to play for Hartlepool United and then returned to non-league, with his last game coming for Brandon against Dunston in the Northern League at the age of 53.