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Tony Green turns 72 today: Why he is still so revered at Newcastle United – Video

5 years ago
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Today it is the 72nd birthday of Tony Green.

It is 45 years ago he stopped playing, due to injury.

So how does a man who only played 35 league and cup games for Newcastle, find himself still revered on Tyneside?

Go back to 1971 we were rock bottom when we signed him, had only won two games, towards the end of October.

One of which was Supermac’s home debut hat-trick against Liverpool.

We finished that season in 11th place.

For those of us who saw him play, he could glide across the bumpiest or heaviest of pitches.

He took people on and left them in his wake.

Watch him at Old Trafford against Man Utd in February 1972 when he leaves George Best on his backside (that moment is 27.01 on the video footage below, whilst he also helped set up both goals in that 2-0 victory – at 13.30 and 31.55).

[youtube=https://youtu.be/d0bW_7xl5lo&w=600]

He lit up the coldest winter’s night.

It has been documented elsewhere when he was half-time guest against Chelsea, it stopped snowing when he came on the pitch and started up again when he left. Yes he was revered in very high places.

In today’s game, where he couldn’t be butchered in the tackle, he would have run riot.

I will raise a glass to you for your so short career with us but so memorable for the football you played.

Happy Birthday Tony Green.
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