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Peter Beardsley

A product of the Wallsend Boys Club, the same club that produced Alan Shearer, Peter was released by hometown club Newcastle United but after successful spells at Carlisle United and the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada he rejoined Newcastle United on 23rd September 1983.

Peter made his Newcastle debut the very next day in a 1-1 with Barnsley at Oakwell. His first goal came on the 19th October in a 2-0 win over Cardiff City, his first home goal came in the next game, a 5-1 win over Manchester City that also saw Bearsdley record his hat-trick.

Beardsley became an instant hit on Tyneside and helped the team, led by captain Kevin keegan, to promotion into the First Division. In the first season in Division One, Beardsley hit 17 goals in 38 games as Newcastle finished 14th and the following season he played every game, scoring 19.

His form for Newcastle won him a call up to the England squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup where he would link up in attack with striker Gary Lineker. England scored seven goals in the tournament, six from Lineker and the other from Beardsley.

After the world cup, Peter helped Newcastle to another mid table finish before Liverpool came calling and their offer was too good to refuse, and English transfer record of £1.9million. He was signed alongside John Barnes and John Aldridge in probably one of the most exciting attacking lineups in Liverpools history.

Peter would help Liverpool to 29 games unbeaten as they strolled to the league title, they lost only two games throughout the league season. They were denied a double, however, in one of the biggest FA Cup final shocks ever. Liverpool were defeated 1-0 at Wembley by Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang'. Although, Peter actually did score with the referee ruling out the goal to pull play back for a LIverpool freekick for an earlier foul.

They would return a year later to win the FA Cup but lost the league title to Arsenal on the final day of the season. They won the league again in 1990 but Peter was gradually finding himself out of favour with Kenny Dalglish with Ronny Rozenthal and David Speedie joining the club. Peter also found himself out of favour with new manager Graeme Souness and in August 1991 he was sold to rivals Everton making his debut in a defeat to Nottingham Forest, now at the age of 30.

By the end of his first season he was Everton's top scorer but off the field Everton were struggling with financial difficulties. Peter lasted two years at Everton.

When Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle in 1993, this time as manager, he brought Peter back to the club with him, an offer of £1.5million was too much for Everton to refuse. Peter rejoined his former side and spent four years on Tyneside, almost captaining the side to the Premier League title in 1995/1996.

During his second spell, Peter made 157 appearances and scored 56 goals, bringing his total to 321 appearances and 117 goals, just under a goal every three game. The second spell is the Peter states is where he peaked in his career.

When Kevin Keegan left Newcastle in 1997, Peter's Newcastle career also came to an end, new manager Kenny Dalglish sold most of Keegan's squad, including Peter who joined Bolton Wanderers. He then went on loan to Manchester City before moving permanently to Fulham, once again linking up with Kevin Keegan who was now Fulham manager.

He moved onto Hartlepool United and then to Australia for Melbourne Knights where he made two appearances before coming back to England in 1999 with Doncaster Rovers, where he decided to end his career, now at the age of 38.

Info

Full name: Peter Andrew Beardsley
DOB: 18th January 1961
Place of Birth: Newcastle Upon Tyne, England
Position: Midfield

Facts

Peter joined Manchester United in the early 1980's but only played one League Cup game.

Peter is one of only two players to have scored for both Liverpool and Everton in a Merseyside derby.

Peter states that his second spell with Newcastle was the time in his career when he peaked.

He is the only player to have played for Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton.