A November evening in Oldham way back in 1993 doesn't sound like an occasion to warm hearts.
But for Newcastle United fans, the Magpies' 3-1 victory at what was then Boundary Park lit the fire under what was to become a great side.
The Premier League was still in its infancy and Kevin Keegan’s brand of football was capturing the imagination of viewers around the world, but Oldham was a key stop on the map during a journey that took Newcastle from a laughing stock in the Second Division to a top-three top-flight team.
United had Peter Beardsley and Andy Cole spearheading the attack and Rob Lee and Scott Sellars providing the ammunition.
And the Sky cameras loved it.
It wasn’t just the team catching the eye, but the Toon Army handed football observers a refreshing take on fan passion.
After years in the doldrums, the sleeping giant was waking up.
Trips to Oldham weren’t exactly everybody’s idea of a great Monday night out - but with every Premier League away day, came a new adventure.
That’s why some Geordie fans even opted to don Mr Blobby suits for the clash - and they were rewarded with a superb 3-1 win with two goals from Cole and a cracker from Beardsley.
Looking back on that night Beardsley is quoted in the Chron’s history books saying: “It was such a great time that you could probably pick any player or any game to talk about.
“But I remember the Oldham game – it was a Monday night and at that time we were just getting used to playing in them.
“It was a hard one for us because we were expected to win.
“It was at the time when we just starting to be known as the Entertainers.
“That night I think myself and Coley got the plaudits and the glory because we got the goals.
“But Scott Sellars was outstanding - some of the passes he was creating were unbelievable.
“When Kevin brought in David Ginola we lost Scott, but in my first season back, Scott was player of the season in my eyes.
“If you look at the stats and the goals he created or was involved in, it’s incredible.
“Kevin brought in David and that was brilliant too – he had an eye for spotting talent and then bringing them in.”
