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Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan hoped that the arrival of David Batty
would prove to be the final piece in the jigsaw as the 1995-96 title
race came towards it's conclusion. It was not to be, however, and the
Magpies were forced to settle for second place behind Manchester United.
Batty's debut came in the game that had such a massive bearing on that
outcome - a 1-0 defeat at home to United in early March. The Leeds-born
midfielder was brought to the club in a £3,750,000 deal from Blackburn
Rovers and, ironically, it was against Rovers that he scored his first
goal, albeit in a 2-1 defeat.
Kevin Keegan commented that it was not
until he worked on the training ground with Batty, on a daily basis,
that he realised just how good a player he was. Batty was never a
goal scoring midfielder but his work-rate, tackling and unselfish play
for the good of the team, therefore allowing the more skillful
ball-players to perform, were appreciated by manager and colleagues
alike.
David's first full-season at St. James Park saw the departure of
Keegan with Kenny Dalglish taking over the reigns and guiding the club
to another runners-up spot. Batty found the net in a 2-0 home win over
Wimbledon and was also on target in a 3-1 F.A. Cup sixth round win over
Barnsley as United continued their march to Wembley.
The 1997-98
campaign brought his customary one goal - in a 1-0 win at Aston Villa -
but it was a disappointing season for the Geordies as thay could manage
only a thirteenth place finish. The arrival of new manager Ruud Gullit
in August 1998 meant changes and David made the move back to hometown
club Leeds United in December with the Yorkshire club paying a fee of
£4,400,000. (David Scranage)
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