Bob Newton

Robert Newton (born 23 November 1956) is an English footballer. Newton played as a striker for several clubs in the lower divisions of the English Football League during the 1970s and 1980s. He had a five-year spell at Hartlepool United between 1977 and 1982, where he scored 48 goals in 150 league games and was later voted as the club's 'Player of the 1980s'.

Early life Robert Newton was born on 23 November 1956 in New Houghton, a village in Derbyshire. His mother was a cleaner and his father was a lorry driver and had served previously as a soldier. He is one of four children and the only boy.

Career Huddersfield Town Newton began his career at Huddersfield Town with the "Terriers" in 1973–74. Newton was named most valuable player in a world youth competition at 17, but suffered two severe injuries that took him off the field for more than two years. He spent four years at Huddersfield and left to join Hartlepool United in mid-1977 for a fee of £5,000.

Hartlepool United He scored eight goals for Hartlepool in his debut season, including both goals in the club's shock 2–1 victory against Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup.

Off the field, Newton has had two car accidents, including one in 1978 in which his passenger, teammate Dave Wiggett, was fatally injured; he was sentenced to nine months in prison in 1979 after being found guilty of causing death by reckless driving. After the incident he moved to the United States, playing for the New England/Jacksonville Tea Men in the North American Soccer League in 1980 and 1981.

Newton returned to English football and was well received by fans at the Victoria Ground, and for three years, formed a strike partnership with teammate Keith Houchen. In 1981–82, Newton and Houchen each had 18 goals and were Hartlepool's top scorers, with Newton scoring a total of sixty goals with Hartlepool.

Port Vale In September 1982, Newton was transferred to Port Vale for £15,000. He went on to become the team's top scorer with 22 goals, while the club achieved promotion to the Third Division. "Valiants" manager John McGrath nicknamed Newton and strike partner Ernie Moss as the "Kray twins" due to their dominance of opposition defenders.

Chesterfield The following season, he joined his hometown club Chesterfield, with Martin Henderson and £8,000 going to Port Vale. He spent two seasons at Saltergate and topped the Spireites' goalscoring chart in both seasons, forming a powerful front three with Phil Brown and Ernie Moss. He operated a mobile cafe near Chesterfield for many years. He later worked as a lorry driver before he was again caught drunk driving and handed a 12-month driving ban in December 2007. His son, Lee, was a trainee at Chesterfield. He also has a daughter.

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

1973–74 Third Division

1974–75 Third Division

1975–76 Fourth Division

1976–77 Fourth Division

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1977–78 Fourth Division

1978–79 Fourth Division

1979–80 Fourth Division

1980–81 Fourth Division

1981–82 Fourth Division

1982–83 Fourth Division

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1982–83 Fourth Division

1983–84 Third Division

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1983–84 Fourth Division

1984–85 Fourth Division

78!!29!!5!!4!!5!!2!!88!!35 Hartlepool United 1985–86 Fourth Division

Stockport County (loan) 1985–86 Fourth Division

Bristol Rovers 1986–87 Third Division

1986–87 Conference

1987–88 Conference

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416!!136!!22!!16!!30!!10!!468!!162

Honours Individual Football League Fourth Division Player of the Month: October 1982

Chesterfield Football League Fourth Division: 1984–85