Newcastle United’s ten greatest-ever wingers, ranked.
The most iconic position at Newcastle United is a striker but that does not mean the club haven’t boasted some fantastic wingers over the years.
A striker, after all, is generally only as good as their service – barring a few notable exceptions.
Eddie Howe’s current team boast some fine wingers and that is also true of some of the most entertaining Newcastle sides of the past.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top ten in the club’s history.
It’s important to remember that this is written with what they actually did for the club as a winger in mind, rather than their overall quality as a player. Kevin Keegan, for example, was capable of playing as a winger but was far more famous for his impact in other areas.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United
10) Matt Ritchie (2016-2024)
Now, as mentioned above, there will have been perhaps more glamorous wingers than Matt Ritchie who did not make this list.
Overlooking him, however, would be unfair. Ritchie joined Rafa Benitez’s ‘Rafalution’ in 2016 and helped the club make an instant return to the Premier League a year later.
Once there, the former Bournemouth winger played an instrumental role in helping the club retain their top-flight status, which in turn led to the PIF takeover.
Goals in unlikely wins against the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United will not be forgotten and neither will his strong disliking for corner flags…
Without Ritchie’s contribution, the club would be in a very different place now.
9) Hatem Ben Arfa (2010-2015)
In many ways, Hatem Ben Arfa was the polar opposite to Ritchie.
A mercurial talent, the Frenchman was a major coup for the club upon their promotion from the Premier League in 2010.
He scored a brilliant goal against Everton on his full debut, but it wasn’t until a season later when Newcastle fans would see the best of him after he suffered a broken leg.
Ben Arfa was far from the most reliable player. He did, however, boast a stunning array of skills and has been talked about as one of the most talented French footballers of his generation.
Ridiculous goals against Blackburn and Bolton proved that level of talent. A simply stunning footballer, he probably wouldn’t have even been playing for Newcastle during that period in their history if there were not issues with his application at times.
It all ended on a sour note when he fell out with Alan Pardew and moved to Hull in 2014 on loan before leaving entirely in January 2015. For a short period, however, Ben Arfa was a joy to watch.
8) Jock Rutherford (1902-1913)
John “Jock” Rutherford earned the nickname ‘The Newcastle flyer’ after making his debut for the club at the age of 17.
Though he began his career as a centre-forward, Rutherford would go on to establish himself as a right-winger from the 1903/04 season onwards.
Such was Rutherford’s longevity, he still holds the record as Arsenal’s oldest-ever outfield player at the age 39 years, 11 months and 0 days.
Rutherford played for Newcastle for 12 seasons and racked up an impressive list of trophies. He lifted the First Division on three occasions, as well as the FA Cup and Charity Shield.
Interestingly, Rutherford is the great-grandfather of 2012 Olympic long jump champion, Greg Rutherford.
7) Laurent Robert (2001-2006)
Laurent Robert was more consistent than compatriot Ben Arfa but still had that touch of genius, as well as a temper.
The Frenchman joined Newcastle from Paris Saint-Germain in 2001 and provided some utterly unforgettable moments.
A brilliant free-kick taker, his goals against Manchester United and Liverpool were simply stunning.
Few players were quite as capable of the brilliance Robert had at times but left under a cloud in 2005 after falling out with Graeme Souness.
6) Nolberto Solano (1998-2004, 2005-2007)
Nobby Solano was a cult-hero at Newcastle during the Sir Bobby Robson era. Signed from Boca Juniors in 1998, the Peruvian winger racked up 48 goals and 78 assists in 315 outings across two spells.
A beaten FA Cup finalist in 1999, he was part of a good Newcastle team under Robson. At the time, Newcastle were competing in the Champions League and towards the higher end of the Premier League.
Solano was so popular that at least some supporters cheered for him to come back to the club in 2005 all while Michael Owen was being presented on the pitch at St James’ Park.
5) David Ginola (1995 –1997)
The mid-1990s were an exciting time to be a Newcastle United fan and the signing of David Ginola in 1995 was a fine example of that.
The Frenchman had been widely expected to join Barcelona or Real Madrid upon leaving Paris Saint-Germain but instead found his way to Tyneside.
A superstar in almost every way imaginable, the French wing wizard brought a glamour to the club.
Ginola was a key part of the team who pushed for the Premier League title under Keegan in 1995-96 and, in total, his tally stands at seven goals and 16 assists in 76 appearances.
He played in a pulsating team and while his spell at the club was too short, Ginola left a lasting impression.
4) Chris Waddle (1980-1985)
Chris Waddle joined Newcastle from non-league side Tow Law Town in 1980. The attacking midfielder was also capable of playing as a winger and recorded 52 goals and 16 assists in 191 games.
The period in which Waddle played was not particularly kind to Newcastle, save for their promotion to the First Division in 1984.
Waddle is perhaps more famous for his Tottenham and England career but was a player of supreme quality and selling him to Spurs in 1985 would have been hugely frustrating to supporters at the time.
3) Bobby Mitchell (1949-1961)
Bobby Mitchell was part of a glorious era at Newcastle United after the Second World War.
The Scotsman joined the club in 1949, breaking the transfer record paid for a winger at the time.
Nicknamed ‘Bobby Dazzler’ by the Toon faithful, Mitchell won three FA Cups with Newcastle in 1951, 1952 and 1955, scoring against Manchester City in the ’55 final.
In total, he made 410 appearances and scored 113 goals. A genuine great in Newcastle United’s history.
2) Jacob Murphy (2017-)
Jacob Murphy may not be the most fashionable name on the list but is undoubtedly a Newcastle United legend. It’s a bold call to include him this high and perhaps many will not agree.
A £12m signing made under Benitez in 2017, it took a while for Murphy to prove his worth.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
He initially struggled to convince but would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Howe era. Murphy was excellent during the 2024-25 season and recorded an assist in the Carabao Cup final. That alone should cement himself in the club’s history.
Wingers of the past may be more eye-catching but none of them in recent memory have a crucial assist in a final.
He remains a crucial figure at the club and it’s now incredible to think he was ever sent out on loan to the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and West Brom.
1) Peter Beardsley (1983-1987, 1993-1997)
Undoubtedly one of the most technically gifted English players of all time, Peter Beardsley dazzled Newcastle fans across two spells.
Signed from Carlisle United in 1983, he helped the club earn promotion to the old First Division side alongside Keegan and Terry McDermott. Statistics alone do not fully describe what a magical talent but 121 goals and 43 assists in 326 games is a fantastic haul.
Beardsley would return in 1993 and form part of Keegan’s iconic Entertainers side who went close to winning the Premier League on two occasions.
