Bishop Auckland-born, Alan Shoulder went from working in the pit while helping Northern League side Blyth Spartans to an FA Cup fifth-round replay to people’s champion at Newcastle.
He scored 38 times in 117 appearances for the Magpies in the 70s and 80s before joining Carlisle United in 1982. He went on to play for Hartlepool United and then returned to non-league, with his last game coming for Brandon against Dunston in the Northern League at the age of 53.
He later became an egg dealer at Leasingthorne, near Bishop Auckland.
Alan died days before his 72nd birthday after a long health battle.
A NUFC spokesperson said: “Alan will be sadly missed and the thoughts of everybody at the club are with his family and friends.”
At 16-years-old Shoulder played for Byers Green St Peter’s, near Willington, before six Northern League seasons with Bishop Auckland.
Blyth Spartans signed in the 70s him for £150 in time for an FA Cup third-round match against Enfield, having beaten Chesterfield in the second. He scored the only goal.
In the fourth round, they were drawn at Stoke City, from the old second division, and won 3-2.
Drawn against Wrexham a tie in the first leg meant a replay was held at St James Park before a crowd of 42,000, but thought to have been much greater, but that was just the start of Shoulder’s time playing before thousands of fans off the Gallowgate.
After an FA Cup replay at York in December 1978, after which he arrived two hours late for the night shift down the pits, Newcastle United boss Bill McGarry signed him aged 25 in a £20,000 deal.
His career as a Deputy at Horden pit ended as quickly as he made the step up to second-division football, and as quickly as his wages rose from a reported £14 a week to £300.
Shoulder had been buried down the pit, first at East Hetton, near Kelloe, then Horden, for five years working permanent nights to give more opportunities for football.
His first game for the Toon came against Stoke, having persuaded McGarry and assistant manager Peter Morris that the transition from the coal face to second-division promotion battle was, as it were, seamless.
Partnered with Magpies striker Peter Withe for two seasons he scored 21 goals in the 1979/80 season, many through sheer persistence – although he was also clinical from the penalty spot and netted nine spot-kicks that season, a club record. Shoulder was the club’s Player of the Year in that campaign.
He was stopped in supermarkets, chased for his autograph, but preferred anonymity. “I wouldn’t say I was scared to go out, but I couldn’t understand it. I didn’t regard myself as a star at all,” he told the Echo in 2003.
If he’d struck coal, Newcastle had struck black and white gold. He scored 38 times in 117 appearances before joining Carlisle United in 1982.
He went on in 1985 to play for Hartlepool United, netting another 24 in 66 games.
Throughout most of his Football League career, he’d also managed Coundon Workmen’s Club, back home, on Sunday mornings.
He became manager of Crook Town, before joining Willington – a side facing relegation from the Northern League.
His last game came for Brandon against Dunston aged 53.
Paying tribute Blyth Spartans said: “Everyone at Blyth Spartans AFC is devastated to learn of the passing of legendary forward, Alan Shoulder.
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“A key part of our legendary cup run during the 1977/78 season, scoring 29 goals in his 48 appearances for the club before making the move to Newcastle United.
“Everyone associated with the club extends their heartfelt condolences to Alan’s family, friends and former team mates.”
Hartlepool United added: “We’re saddened to learn the passing of former Pools forward, Alan Shoulder. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends.”
