Cushing - the man who lifted the Magpies up

IT was just after tea time, 6.30pm on August 19, 1982. The place: a private room in the Gosforth Park Hotel on the outskirts of Newcastle. Russell Cushing, renowned secretary of Newcastle United, rose to his feet to address a packed Press conference.

- By JOHN GIBSON

With all the razzmatazz of a Muhammad Ali circus announcement a rather self-conscious Cushing uttered the words "We're in heaven, we've got Kevin."

Contrived, yes, without question and a tad embarrassing to a football man of dignity but you had to beat the drum.

United, deep in the depression of Second Division football, had pulled off the greatest signing in their illustrious history.

Kevin Keegan, captain of England, European Cup winner with Liverpool, twice Ballon d'Or winner at Hamburg, had signed for a giant not just having 40 winks but staggering on its last legs.

What was to happen was an earthquake. Promotion to the top flight and, much later, the birth of The Entertainers under a marvellous, exciting manager who revolutionised football.