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When Kenny Dalglish set about reconstructing the reserve side, which had
been dismantled by Kevin Keegan, he brought in a number of 'squad
players', one of whom was his son, Paul Dalglish. Paul had been
struggling to break into the Bury first-team, whilst on loan from
Liverpool, when his father signed him for free in November 1997. Being
the managers son, however, brought Paul no special favours; the 20
year-old striker spent the remainder of the season playing exclusively
for United's reserves. It would not be until his father was sacked that
he was given an opportunity in the first-team.
At the start of the
1998/99 season Paul had been impressing for the reserves and, as a
result, Ruud Gullit promoted him to the substitutes bench. Dalglish made
his Newcastle debut in a 5-1 victory at Coventry, coming on as an 87th
minute replacement for Stephane Guivarc'h. Another couple of substitute
appearances followed before Paul went on a run of eight consecutive
league and cup starts through October and November. Dalglish jnr,
bearing more than a passing resemblance to his father, looked to have
inherited some of Kenny's pace and trickery those early performances
suggested the willowy 5' 7" striker, might have a future at Newcastle.
During his run in the starting line-up, Paul scored his first two goals
in senior football - his first came in the League Cup, controlling a
Solano pass he rounded the Tranmere keeper to score the games only goal
at Prenton Park. His second goal came against Sheffield Wednesday at St.
James Park, when he was on hand to score after ex-Magpie Pavel Srnicek
could only parry a Warren Barton shot. Before long, however, Duncan
Ferguson arrived at Newcastle and that pretty much put paid to Paul's
chances of first team football.
With the transfer deadline looming,
Dalglish joined Norwich City on loan before a £300,000 move was
completed in the close season. He made a total of 13 appearances for
United, scoring two goals. (Gordon Tait)
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