John Anderson

John Christopher Patrick Anderson (born 7 November 1959) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a defender, best known for his decade long stint with Newcastle United. He represented the Republic of Ireland from 1979 to 1988, and was a squad member at UEFA Euro 1980.

Club career

Anderson was on the books of West Bromwich Albion between 1976 and 1979. Despite playing in 92 reserve team games for the club, he never made a single first team appearance for the club in a major competition.

Anderson signed for Newcastle United in 1982 on a free transfer from Preston North End. His signing was low key because the club had recently pulled off a major coup in signing England captain Kevin Keegan. A very versatile player, Anderson made his debut in the 2–1 win at Blackburn Rovers on 1 September 1982.

In the 1983–84 season, Anderson played in one of the most entertaining sides in Newcastle's history as the club scored 85 goals and gained promotion back to the top flight, in a side that featured Keegan, Chris Waddle, Peter Beardsley and Terry McDermott. Anderson played in 41 of the 42 league matches that season. He was given a testimonial by the club in 1992 after 10 years as a Newcastle player, during which time he made 337 league appearances, scoring 14 goals. One of his goals was a 25-yard free kick in a game at Vicarage Road in the early 1990s against Watford.

International career Anderson represented the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy, youth and under-21 levels.