Where are they now? The Newcastle United starting XI as Alan Shearer breaks goal record against Portsmouth

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Today marks the sixteenth anniversary of Alan Shearer’s 201st Newcastle United goal as he became the Magpies all-time leading goalscorer.

A long ball by Shay Given was flicked on by the Geordie striker and he took a return pass from Shola Ameobi before poking ball beyond Portsmouth keeper Dean Kiely and into the Gallowgate net.

St James Park erupted and Shearer celebrated at the end in which he had stood many times during his time supporting the club.

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He was soon to be joined in celebration by a number of his teammates - but what happened to the men that wore black and white alongside Shearer that day?

Shay Given

The popular Irish international keeper had been a regular for the Magpies ever since he has joined in a £1.5million move from Blackburn Rovers in 1997. 

Shay Given celebrates a goal in 2008.Shay Given celebrates a goal in 2008.
Shay Given celebrates a goal in 2008.

Given would remain on Tyneside until February 2009 when he became exasperated with the lack of ambition and off-field controversy.  A £6million offer from Manchester City saw Given move to the North West and he went on to lift the FA Cup two years later.

He also spent time with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough before winding up his playing career in 2017 with a two-year stay at Stoke City.  Given moved into coaching as he worked under Frank Lampard at Derby County and is now current manager Wayne Rooney’s first-team coach at Pride Park.

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Peter Ramage

One of the Northumberland-born defender’s first interactions with Shearer came as a ballboy following the remarkable 5-0 win against Manchester United in October 1996. 

Ramage played for a host of English clubs after departing Newcastle United. He even had spells in India and the USA. Ramage worked as a coach for Phoenix Rising in America before heading back to Tyneside in July last year to work as a coach for Newcastle’s Under 23 side.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)Ramage played for a host of English clubs after departing Newcastle United. He even had spells in India and the USA. Ramage worked as a coach for Phoenix Rising in America before heading back to Tyneside in July last year to work as a coach for Newcastle’s Under 23 side.
(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Ramage played for a host of English clubs after departing Newcastle United. He even had spells in India and the USA. Ramage worked as a coach for Phoenix Rising in America before heading back to Tyneside in July last year to work as a coach for Newcastle’s Under 23 side. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Ramage went on to become a team-mate of the former England captain when he progressed into the Magpies first-team under Graeme Souness.

Ramage made over 50 appearances for his boyhood club before going on to play for the likes of QPR, Barnsley and Crystal Palace.

Ramage also played abroad with Indian club Kerala Blasters and American outfit Phoenix Rising - but is now back at Newcastle as a coach within the club’s academy.

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Jean-Alain Boumsong

The French defender had been linked with a free transfer move to Tyneside six months before his £8million arrival in January 2015.

Jean Alain Boumsong made Rangers a quick profit.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Jean Alain Boumsong made Rangers a quick profit.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Jean Alain Boumsong made Rangers a quick profit. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Despite some promising displays, his time at St James Park will be remembered for a number of errors that led to an inevitable departure in August 2006.

Somewhat surprisingly, it was Italian giants Juventus that was his next destination and Boumsong helped his new club reclaim their Serie A status during his first season in Turin.

A return to France with Lyon came in January 2008 before he brought down the curtain on his career with Panathinaikos during a three-year stay with the Greek club between 2010 and 2013.

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His post-career led to a role with broadcaster beIN Sports and working under Clarence Seedorf when the Dutch legend was named as Cameroon manager in September 2018.  However, both Seedorf and Boumsong left their respective roles just a year later.

Titus Bramble

Bramble arrived on Tyneside in a £6million deal from Ipswich Town in June 2002 and became part of a Sir Bobby Robson side packed with talented youngsters.

After being signed from Ipswich Town as one of the country’s brightest talents, Bramble played over 100 games for Newcastle. He joined Wigan Athletic and then Sunderland after leaving St James’s Park. 
(Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)After being signed from Ipswich Town as one of the country’s brightest talents, Bramble played over 100 games for Newcastle. He joined Wigan Athletic and then Sunderland after leaving St James’s Park. 
(Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
After being signed from Ipswich Town as one of the country’s brightest talents, Bramble played over 100 games for Newcastle. He joined Wigan Athletic and then Sunderland after leaving St James’s Park. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

The defender’s time at St James Park will be remembered for his inconsistent performances as so impressive displays were hampered by a number of errors.

Bramble departed for Wigan Athletic in June 2007 and scored for the Latics in a 2-2 draw on Tyneside in November 2018.

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A move to Sunderland followed in July 2010 and his next return to St James Park came when he was shown a red card as his side suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat against his former club.

Bramble was released by the Black Cats at the end of the 2012/13 season and trained with West Ham United and former club Ipswich.

However, his return to action did not arrive until August 2017 when he was named as player-coach of now-Isthmian League club Stowmarket Town.

Bramble is now working as a coach and ambassador of the Future Stars charity, which works with young people in Ghana and Togo.

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Celestine Babayaro

The Nigerian international joined Newcastle as part of a double defensive swoop with Jean-Alain Boumsong in January 2005. 

Had a stint on trial with Pompey in 2008Had a stint on trial with Pompey in 2008
Had a stint on trial with Pompey in 2008

The left-back endured a largely disappointing spell on Tyneside and was released by the Magpies in December 2007.

LA Galaxy would be his next destination as he became a team-mate of David Beckham’s but his time in Los Angeles lasted less than two months.

Babayaro trained with Portsmouth ahead of the 2008/09 season but was not offered a contract and officially announced his retirement in 2010.

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Little is known of Babayaro’s post-career - although he was declared bankrupt just over a year after his retirement from the game.

Nolberto Solano

A cult hero over two spells on Tyneside, Solano was part of a United side that qualified for the Champions League and also appeared in the 1999 FA Cup Final against Manchester United.

Nolberto Solano of Newcastle scores a late winner during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road, Leeds. A 4-3 win saw United go remain top at Christmas!Nolberto Solano of Newcastle scores a late winner during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road, Leeds. A 4-3 win saw United go remain top at Christmas!
Nolberto Solano of Newcastle scores a late winner during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road, Leeds. A 4-3 win saw United go remain top at Christmas!

Solano showed his versatility by appearing at right-back during his second stint at St James Park and will always be remembered as one of the skillful wingers to play for the Magpies during the Premier League era.

The Peruvian moved to West Ham United in August 2007 and went on to feature for Leicester City, Hull City and Hartlepool United, as well as spending time with Greek side Larissa and in his homeland with Universitario.

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Solano retired at the end of the 2011/12 season and has held managerial positions with Universitario and Canadian side Internacional de Toronto.

He has spent the last five years as assistant manager of Peru and was part of the coaching staff when they reached the Copa America Final in 2019.

Scott Parker

Parker became a popular figure at St James Park following a £6.5million move from Chelsea in the summer of 2005.

Parker had a successful playing career after leaving Newcastle, starring for West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham. Following his retirement in 2017, Parker stayed on at Fulham and became manager during their unsuccessful season in 2018/19. He left Fulham in the summer and joined fellow Championship side Bournemouth, replacing former-Newcastle United defender Jonathan Woodgate in the process.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)Parker had a successful playing career after leaving Newcastle, starring for West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham. Following his retirement in 2017, Parker stayed on at Fulham and became manager during their unsuccessful season in 2018/19. He left Fulham in the summer and joined fellow Championship side Bournemouth, replacing former-Newcastle United defender Jonathan Woodgate in the process.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Parker had a successful playing career after leaving Newcastle, starring for West Ham, Tottenham and Fulham. Following his retirement in 2017, Parker stayed on at Fulham and became manager during their unsuccessful season in 2018/19. He left Fulham in the summer and joined fellow Championship side Bournemouth, replacing former-Newcastle United defender Jonathan Woodgate in the process. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

He went on to succeed Shearer as club captain following his retirement and earned a recall to the England squad despite receiving some criticism for his performances in a black and white shirt.

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Parker moved on to West Ham in the summer of 2007 and was named as the Football Writers Association player of the year in his third season at Upton Park.

Parker joined Spurs in a £5.5million deal as the Hammers began life in the Championship in August 2011 and ended his playing career with Fulham with a four-year stay at Craven Cottage.

A managerial career started with the Cottagers and Parker led the West London club to the Premier League during the 2019/20 season - although their stay in the elite would last for just one campaign.

Parker departed Fulham last summer and is currently leading Bournemouth’s charge for promotion into the Premier League.

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Emre

The Turkish international midfielder is fondly remembered for scoring the winning goal in an epic Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland in October 2005.

The Turkish midfielder came to Tyneside from Inter Milan with a huge pedigree. However, he left after just three seasons, with just a free-kick against Sunderland a memorable highlight. Emre was playing football right up until last summer where he retired from the game. Emre had been accused of racism by Dider Zokora in a match in 2012. Despite denying these claims, he was handed a two and a half month suspended prison sentence.
(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)The Turkish midfielder came to Tyneside from Inter Milan with a huge pedigree. However, he left after just three seasons, with just a free-kick against Sunderland a memorable highlight. Emre was playing football right up until last summer where he retired from the game. Emre had been accused of racism by Dider Zokora in a match in 2012. Despite denying these claims, he was handed a two and a half month suspended prison sentence.
(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
The Turkish midfielder came to Tyneside from Inter Milan with a huge pedigree. However, he left after just three seasons, with just a free-kick against Sunderland a memorable highlight. Emre was playing football right up until last summer where he retired from the game. Emre had been accused of racism by Dider Zokora in a match in 2012. Despite denying these claims, he was handed a two and a half month suspended prison sentence. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The former Inter Milan star showed some flashes of brilliance during a three-year stay at St James Park - but never really lived up to his early promise.

Emre’s post-United career comprises of three separate spells at Fenerbache, as well as stints with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Istanbul Basaksehir.

Controversy followed the midfielder after he was alleged to have made racist comments towards Everton trio Joseph Yobo, Tim Howard and Joleon Lescott, Bolton Wanderers forward El-Hadji Diouf and Watford’s Al Bangura during his time in the Premier League.

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He spent a two-and-a-half month spell in prison after making racist comments towards Trabzonspor’s Didier Zokora in April 2012.

He retired at the end of the 2019/20 season and was named as director of football at Fenerbache but is now head coach of another of his former clubs after taking charge of Istanbul Basaksehir in October last year.

Charles N’Zogbia

French winger N’Zogbia was seen as one of United’s brightest prospects after joining the club from Le Havre in September 2004.

After leaving Newcastle United, the Frenchman played for Wigan Athletic before moving to Villa Park. N’Zogbia was due to move to Nantes in France in summer 2016 but a reported heart problem discovered in the medical stopped the transfer - he retired aged just 30 in summer 2016.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)After leaving Newcastle United, the Frenchman played for Wigan Athletic before moving to Villa Park. N’Zogbia was due to move to Nantes in France in summer 2016 but a reported heart problem discovered in the medical stopped the transfer - he retired aged just 30 in summer 2016.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
After leaving Newcastle United, the Frenchman played for Wigan Athletic before moving to Villa Park. N’Zogbia was due to move to Nantes in France in summer 2016 but a reported heart problem discovered in the medical stopped the transfer - he retired aged just 30 in summer 2016. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

A debut came in a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers that month and he scored the Magpies first goal of the following season in a 1-1 home draw with Fulham.