It is impossible to talk about the illustrious history of Newcastle United without mentioning Bob Moncur.

As a kid, we'd hear grand stories of the centre-back's tough tackling and leadership skills and on a school trip in 1990 once we couldn't believe our luck as the club legend stopped to sign autographs outside St James' Park. There's an old saying about not meeting heroes, but it certainly can't be applied to Moncur as I would discover later in life.

For fans of a certain vintage, Moncur will be one of the first names on their best XI team sheet while younger supporters will recognise the ex-Scotland, Newcastle and Sunderland centre-back. Of course, he lifted the last major trophy for Newcastle back in 1969 when skippering Joe Harvey's side to glory in the final against Újpest Dozsa and scoring in both legs of the final showpiece!

Few men could have spent 12 years at St James' Park and walked out of the building to sign for bitter rivals Sunderland, but Moncur managed it and still gained the trust and respect of most sensible fans of both clubs. His controversial switch from Tyne to Wear was even announced live on ITV during the 1974 World Cup finals by legendary commentator Brian Moore.

On the panel that day was the great Brian Clough, then boss of Brighton, and it was Old Big 'Ead who tried to sign him and lure him south, even cunningly trying to sell the move to Bob's wife Camille. But by then Moncur had given Sunderland his word and he was not prepared to go back on it.

His career would end at Carlisle before he took up a management stint at Brunton Park before then going on to lead Hearts, Plymouth Argyle and Hartlepool. Between Hearts and........

© Chronicle Live Sport