facing relegation, United
earned 10 points from 4
consecutive home games
including a recalled Jackson goal as a
sub in the 4th match, v Norwich (4-1).
Replacing the injured Dave McCreery
in centre midfield, a position he later
played throughout his career and for
Scotland in World Cup 1998, Jackson
started the last 8 games enhancing
results over Man United (2-1) and
Chelsea (1-0) and subsequent
survival. Jackson confirmed Gazza,
Beardsley and Paul Goddard (7 goals
in successive games ensuring 6 wins)
were “definitely the best footballers
during my time at NUFC” and they,
along with “a fantastic team spirit”
were the major factors in staying up.
At the start of the 1987-88 season,
Newcastle bought the Brazilian
Mirandinha for a club record fee
of £575,000 but started poorly
again with only 3 wins in the first
15 games, 2 of those influenced
by Jackson goals away to Sheffield
Wednesday (1-0) and Coventry (3-1).
Injured for a month Jackson didn’t
start again until Boxing Day. He
recalls “Beating Manchester United
1-0 when Glenn Roader scored
is my favourite memory when at
Newcastle” backed up by The Pink
match report who, despite playing
in midfield