Old Favourite.

Oh boy, completely overlooked this on NUFC.com today.

One of our old favourites Pavel Srnicek celebrated hs 44th birthday today.

All the best Pav from all the Toon Army.

1968 Pavel Srnicek born, Ostrava, Czech Republic. (1991-98 & 2006)



One of a small number of players to win a permanent contract and become a first team regular after turning up on trial at United.

Arriving in January 1991 initially for a month, Srnicek appeared for the reserve side and was then signed at a cost of £350K from hometown side Banik Ostrava.

Former soldier Pav had begun his playing career with army sides Dukla Tabor and Dukla Prague and was capped at U21 level.

Although signed by Jim Smith, Srnicek's first team debut came for newly-appointed boss Ossie Ardiles, in a 1-0 home victory over Sheffield Wednesday in April 1991.

Becoming a popular figure with fans and players alike, Pav was to remain at SJP and played under both Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish for the following six seasons.

His time in Toon drew to a close though in the 1997/98 season following the arrival of Shay Given and Pav had just one senior outing, at home to Blackburn Rovers when Given was away on international duty.

Confined to a non-playing substitute role thereafter, he lost out to Shaka Hislop for the bench spot at Wembley in the FA Cup Final defeat that year (he did appear for United in the Charity Shield at that venue).

A brief return to Banik was followed by spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Italian sides Brescia and Cosenza, then back in the UK with Portsmouth and West Ham - always well -received when playing against Newcastle.

Leaving Upton Park in 2004, Srnicek had an unsuccessful trial at Coventry before moving to Portugal with Beira Mar.

And it was a case of "Pavel is a Geordie" again in October 2006 when injuries to Tim Krul, Shay Given and Steve Harper caused then-boss Glenn Roeder to bring the free agent back to SJP on a short-term deal.

Pav duly made his 150th league appearance for Newcastle - some nine years after the 149th - when appearing as substitute for the last three minutes of the 3-1 home victory over Spurs just before Christmas 2006..

He then made a full appearance in the next game away at Bolton on Boxing Day, but was involved in a mix-up with Peter Ramage that unfortunately led to the Trotters equalising.

Pav remained at SJP for the rest of the season but wasn't called upon again for first team duty (although he did appear twice for the reserve side).

Now retired from playing and living back in the Czech Republic, Pav is involved in youth coaching back at Banik Ostrava.

 

Was at Tranmere in the Zenith Data Cup (away) in wot i thought was his debut in a 6-6 draw AET -- he was shocking but luckily he went on to prove himself as a more than capable 'keeper.

 

I don't know anybody that didn't like him.

Both on and off the pitch.

 

Good thread.

Unlike Pav's Goalkeeping Jersey - Horrific!

Decent 'keeper.

 

Love them

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I didnt dislke his top and agree he was a decent keeper.

 

Was hard getting used to them but I ended up quite liking the multi coloured one.

 

The top in the original post was great. Can't think of another club who had their own city's skyline on their jersey, unless Sunderland had some sort of rubble effect one

 

He's only 44, bring him back. Loved his return where he'd gone from cleancut to longhaired beardy, like a reverse Darius Danesh...

 

He's probably kept himself fit and I'm sure he'd be able to do a decent job if he was required.

 

Thought it was about you AB.. You're geet old... And my favourite! Lol!

 

You say that to all the old men

 

That's usually his chat up line to the old gals.

It doesn't work with them either.

 

You're OFF!

 

He is at Sparta Prague now. A fella I know is very good friends with him and has just been out to see him and his family. He is very well and enjoying the coaching. They got beat 3-1 in the game he went to at home. First team is full of youngsters but Pav reckons they'll come good with time.

 

Three old favourites on GOS Terry Mac, Clarkie and Steve Howey.

 

Maybe he'll be recommending them to come to us at some stage.

 

Steve Howey looks an awful lot like Steve Watson these days...

 

Great minds think alike (and fools seldom differ) I did mention this to the bloke who went over to see him! The bloke who knows him is Italian, a big Inter fan. But he is also now a big Newcastle fan. He used to write for the Chronicle and work for the club doing translation etc. Knew Nobby and Emre very well. He has told me some canny stories about the likes of Emre, Pistone and Nobby. All three liked to enjoy themselves and the women supposedly.

 

The perks of being a footballer.